I first became interested in the issue of undocumented students pursuing higher education and work while listening to an episode of This American Life on National Public Radio. The episode, #329 Nice Work if You Can Get It, is divided into four acts. Act 4: Just One Thing Missing features an anonymous student telling the story of her dream to go to medical school to be a doctor and the realities of her status as an undocumented person who cannot get legal work of any kind in the United States, much less legally be granted federal financial aid to realize her dream. It seems unjust to me that a highly motivated student who is clearly earning her education and wants to serve her community cannot pursue her American dream because her parents chose to bring her here illegally when she was only a child. If she returns to Mexico (which she does not consider her home) and goes through the 5-10 year application process for a green card, chances are, she will be declined.
You can stream and listen to the whole episode from their website by clicking here and selecting the link called "Full Episode" (Act 4 begins at 46:20).
For more student stories, you can visit these pages:
The New America Foundation, Article: A Uniquely American DREAM
This article by Douglas McGray of the New America Foundation was published in the LA Times in 2007.
Dream Act 2009
This page has a petition to Congress to pass the DREAM Act as well as stories from undocumented students.
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