On April 7th, Augsburg College made the
announcement to “expand its commitment to educating students of ability”
regardless of their immigration status. This was in support of United We
Dream’s National Institution Coming Out Day, the largest immigrant youth-led
organization in the nation. One of the commitments Augsburg has pledged to do
is to “empower undocumented students to come out of the shadows” and continue
their education and obtain a degree. The phrase “to come out of the shadows”
lingers on my mind because for the first time I am neither afraid nor ashamed
to come out of the shadows and talk about my own journey through this academic
world as an undocumented student.
I often think the greatest challenge I have faced has
been obtaining a degree in a private college as an undocumented student. But as
I consider the phrase “to come out of the shadows” I realize that my biggest
obstacle has not been the inability to afford college, but rather admitting my
own immigration status for fear of judgment and the stigma associated with
being undocumented and living in the shadows. As an undocumented student,
college was not an option for me in high school. My school counselor made it
clear when I sought her advice and she confronted me with a truth I had not
considered, I was an “illegal immigrant” with no means of going to college.
Without any guidance or financial support, I worked two jobs to pay tuition while
attending a community college. I started as a part time student, but after the first
semester I was exhausted and gave up.
Two years later, my younger sister started attending
college and I decided to follow her footsteps. I attended a community college
for far longer than any other students have, still working full time to pay for
tuition. No one in college had ever offered support or talked to me about
financial options. In colleges, it had been established that undocumented
students do not qualify for financial aid, or any other government funded aid
(scholarships included), so the best the schools could do was to set up payment
plans.
On June 15th, 2012 President Obama created a
policy, in response to the DREAM Act advocacy, calling for deferred action for
certain undocumented young people who came to the United States as children. On
August 15, 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was implemented.
Under the stipulations of the new policy, many young people like me could now
obtain a work permit, but this did not mean that we were granted legal status.
In fact, it is simply a temporary measure and solution that does not grant any
benefits legal residents and citizens have. One of the most important for young
people is access to financial assistance or government funded scholarships.
In the summer of 2013, I mustered enough courage to apply
to a day program in a four-year college or university. I started visiting some
of them; certain universities treated me differently after learning about my
legal status and one private school even suggested I don’t waste my time in
touring the campus since I could not afford it. By Fall, I had lost hope and my
dream of experiencing college life seemed more distant than ever. It was then
that someone recommended I look into Augsburg College, I hesitated, but I
applied anyway. This has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Within
weeks, I was contacted by someone in admissions and I was guided through the
final application process. I was also awarded a scholarship that paid about a
third of my tuition; this was a huge, but welcomed surprise. I was offered a
tour, but before I could schedule one I was already meeting the faculty of the
social work program. In the fall of 2013
I started attending Augsburg College with the intent to obtain a Bachelor's
Degree in Social Work. That same year, a very kind lady suggested that I apply
for the Minnesota Dream Act to help pay my tuition; she explained that Minnesota
passed The Prosperity Act, better known as The Minnesota Dream Act, that summer.
Under this state policy, undocumented students meeting certain criteria could
apply for state financial aid. Because I worked full time and I had already
completed a big portion of my credits, I was awarded little financial aid, but
still helped a lot.
After two years of juggling an internship, a full time
job, school and homework, this May I graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Social
Work. Stepping out of the shadow has not been easy; putting myself through
school hasn’t been easy either. But it
is proof that Latino students are committed and determined to obtain an
education. My story is not unique, there are several other students like myself
who have achieved and accomplished their academic goals. For those living in
the shadows for fear or shame, it is time we stand up and accomplish our dreams.
And just like Augsburg College is supporting these students, I hope other
colleges and universities unite and together support our community.
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| My wonderful parents. Photo taken by Martin Rosales |
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| My cousin Lundy and my younger sister Nena. Photo taken by Martin Rosales |
