Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/297225
Eduardo is one of 2.5 million students in the country known as DREAMers, who hope legislators will approve their path to citizenship. California has the highest per- centage of undocumented students in the nation — about 350,000 — according to an NEA study. Of these, only 5 to 10 percent go to college. Helping students like Eduardo fulfi ll their dreams and navigate the complex web of state and federal laws pres- ents challenges for school employees like Rosa Marino, Eduardo's counselor at Godinez. "I have 30 students who are undocumented," says Marino, Santa Ana Educators Association. "Many are very open about it and come to me asking for help. With others, I have to tread very gently. I let them tell me when they are ready. I share my personal story: I was born in Mexico and came here when I was 7." In those days it was easy for her parents to fi nd a spon- sor, fi ll out papers and obtain green cards allowing them to live and work here legally. Her undocumented students, on the other hand, live in fear and must jump through hoops to legalize their status. But some things haven't changed, observes Marino. "It is a tremendous adjustment. I came here not know- ing a word of English. I understand that each student has to take their time processing information from one lan- guage to another. Some do it really fast, some take longer. Also, immigrants are poor. They want a better life and are willing to work hard." EdVotes.org has numerous resources and means to advocate for immigration reform. Feature What is DACA? DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced that immigrants who entered the country without authoriza- tion before age 16 and have pursued education or military service can qualify for deportation relief known as "deferred action." An applicant who is granted deferred status will not be deported and qualifies for a work permit renewable every two years. DACA also allows employment autho- rization. While students may qualify for deferred status under DACA, their parents and siblings may not. What's the California Dream Act? Assembly Bills 130 and 131 were passed in 2011. This two-bill package, the California Dream Act, allows undocumented stu- dents who qualify for in-state tuition* to apply for Cal Grants and scholarships awarded by California public colleges and univer- sities. AB 130 allows grants and scholarships from non-state or private funds. AB 131 allows financial aid from state funds. To qualify, students must have attended a California high school for at least three years and graduated from a California high school. In addition, undocumented students must attest they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status, or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so. *AB 540 allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state or resident tuition. DREAMers & the Law 24 A P R I L 2 0 1 4 Educator 04 Apr 2014 v2.3 int.indd 24 4/15/14 12:04 AM