The DREAM is still ALIVE

1
The DREAM is still ALIVE

• Tanya Cabrera
• Postsecondary Education Coach
• Benito Juarez Community Academy
• and
• Student Panel

2
Why is this issue so important?

• Over 1.7 million undocumented in the U.S. are
  under the age of 18.
• 4 of these students live in Illinois.
• (CA-24, TX-14, FL-9, NY-7, AZ-5, NJ-4,
  NC-3)
• March 2004 Current Population Survey conducted
  by the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Labor
• Anywhere from 50,000 to 70,000 students graduate
  from U.S. high schools each year.
• 3,500 from Chicago high schools alone.
• Center for Urban Economic Development, UIC March
  2003.
• Across the district, 15 of the top 20 students
• at each school do not have a valid SSN. 

3
The Status of Undocumented Students

• According to U.S. immigration laws, students who
  are in the U.S. on an expired visa are not
  undocumented.
• Existing avenues for gaining legal status are
  very restrictive. A likely outcome for students
  who try to apply is deportation for the family.
• No federal or state law prohibits the admissions
  of undocumented immigrants to US colleges and
  universities. Illinois has NO law barring
  admissions to undocumented students.
• Undocumented students are not foreign or
  international students, they do not reside
  outside of the U.S. and cannot obtain visas to
  study in the U.S.
• An individual who attended school in Illinois for
  at least 3 yrs. As of the date of his/her
  graduation from high school that receives the
  equivalent of a high school diploma is considered
  and Illinois resident for tuition purposes. The
  student must file an affidavit at his/her
  institution. 110 ILCS 660/5-88 (MALDEF)

4

Illinois Legislation for Resident Tuition (PA
93-0007)Public Act 93-0007/110 ILCS 680/25-88
Sec. 25-88 states

• Notwithstanding any other provision of the law
  to the contrary, for tuition purposes, the Board
  shall deem an individual an Illinois resident,
  until the individual establishes a residence
  outside of this State, if all of the following
  are met
• The individual resided with his or her parents or
  guardian while attending a public or private high
  school in this State.
• The individual graduated from a public or private
  high school or received the equivalent of a high
  school diploma in this State.
• The individual attended school in this State for
  at least 3 years as of the date the individual
  graduated from high school or received the
  equivalent of a high school diploma.
• HB0060 as it is known does not guarantee a
  student admission to a state university.
• Admission and residency are two different issues
  and only after a student has been admitted to an
  Illinois college or university can tuition be
  assessed in accordance with the law.

5
The Infamous DREAM ACTSeeks to cancel removal
of students and adjust status their to
conditional permanent resident IF

• Present in the U.S. for at least 5 yrs. Before
  legislation signed
• Entered the U.S. when they were 16 yrs. Old or
  younger
• Is not deportable for criminal, security,
  smuggling, or international child
• abducting reasons.
• Has been admitted to an institution of higher
  education in the U.S. or has earned
• a high school diploma, or obtained a GED in the
  U.S.
• Required to complete at least 2 yrs. Toward a
  bachelor's degree or higher degree
• or serve 2 yrs. in military.
• Would qualify to become a permanent resident
  after 6 yrs.
• Would qualify for in state tuition rates in ALL
  states, student loans, and Federal
• work-study programs but NO GRANTS.

6
Additional Resources

• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee
  Rights
• www.icirr.org
• National Immigration Law Center
• www.nilc.org
• Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund
• www.maldef.org
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los
  Angeles
• www.chirla.org
• Pew Hispanic Center
• www.pewhispanic.org
• Latino Policy Forum
• 20 East Jackson Blvd. Suite 1550
• Chicago, IL 60604
• [phone]

7
Keep the DREAM ALIVE

• Because over 1.3 high school immigrants who have
  graduated in the U.S. with a 3.0 GPA or higher
  have been denied higher education access due to
  their immigration status. Tomas Rivera Institute
• Because in 2011 Asian and Latinos will be the
  largest influx of immigrants in the United States
  between the ages of 10-24 . Robert Teranishi NYC
• Because you know that each student regardless of
  their status should not be denied access to
  education. Arnie Duncan (DC)
• Because the survival of future generations
  depends on them.
• President Obama on Immigration Reform

8
Contact Information

• Tanya Cabrera
• PSE Coach Juarez
• tcabrera_at_cps.k12.il.us
• [phone]
• SAVE THE DATE
• Saturday, September 26th 2009
• 5k Walk/Run
• Citizens of American Education
• Scholarship Fundraiser