Real One Essay

Submitted By lorenaandion
Words: 1196
Pages: 5

American Education and Undocumented Immigrants The United State is a country created by immigrants from the foundation of the thirteen colonies, and residents from the African continent, who came as slaves. Immigrants came seeking fortune in the new land: Irish, French, Italian, Chinese, and many more from all countries worldwide. American society was born of immigration and has been developed with the input and effort of immigrants. One of the essential components of the image of America is the story of a nation of immigrants. Immigration forms a substantial part of American national mythology. Almost all Americans are immigrants or descendants of immigrants of varying seniority. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History confirms “Throughout American history, millions of people around the world have left their homelands for a chance to start a new life in this country—and they continue to come here to this day” (History Times: A Nation of Immigrants). Precisely, for this reason, American history has lived permanently mired in endless debate over immigration environment. The discussion of assimilation, integration or multiculturalism is particularly strong within American society. The United States is a nation of immigrants. Each day there are more those who come to this country chasing a dream, seeking a better life, or family reunification. Many of these immigrants come and settle in illegal ways. This immigration status forces immigrants to work low-wage jobs. They cannot have a social security number, health insurance, or a driver’s license, and they do not have access to education beyond grade twelve. In United States schools, students do not need to confirm their migration status from kindergarten to grade twelve. Undocumented students can access free education until they finish high school. The Supreme Court stated that all students, despite their immigration status, are ensured a K-12 education. However, the Court's choice did not stretch out to advanced education. If they want to continue their education and access college it is almost impossible. In his book “Removing Barriers to Higher Education for Undocumented Students” Senior policy Analyst Zenen Jaimes Perez points out “Each year, millions of students graduate from American high schools. Counted among that throng (…) are about 65,000 undocumented students (…) their path to higher education remains difficult at best and that few of them actually complete a postsecondary education” (1). Undocumented students should be allowed to access college to continue their higher education, which will represent a gain for them and for the country as well because they represent potential employees, future professionals, middle-class consumers, and taxpayers who can grow our economy. Undocumented students in the United States were not conceived in this country, but these youngsters have, generally, experienced their childhood in America. “Often immigrant adults move to the United States with children, who also assume undocumented status” (Gildersleeve, Rumann, and Modragon 6). They received a primary and secondary education here. A lot of them were not aware of their immigration status until adolescence. In her essay “Walking across the Stage” Veronica Valdez a Mexican undocumented student states, “I was unaware of my immigration status until I was fifteen (…) from that point on my view of what my life would be like completely changed” (231). It is a contradiction that a great number of undocumented students have the scholarly readiness to seek after a postsecondary education, however their financial and social portability is seriously limited by their undocumented status. Some states in America admit undocumented students to enter college, but they cannot receive financial aid, grants, or scholarships. The Federal Student Aid department declares “Undocumented students, including DACA students and