Last week’s announcement by the Obama Administration that there would be lesser deportations of illegal immigrants who pose no threat to national security or public safety was viewed as progress for illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children, graduated from high school and want to go on to college or serve in armed forces. It seems that the rest of the country is not in agreement that all children, regardless of their immigration status, should be provided the best education, training and schooling possible without fear of deportation.
- Last year, research found that 139 districts in New York State were requiring children’s immigration papers as a prerequisite to enrollment. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/education/07immig.html
- In June, Alabama’s new immigration law asks school administration to check the immigration status of their students. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/alabama-immigration-law-pressures-schools-check-immigration-status-174952328.html
- In August, Georgia’s five most competitive colleges and universities are checking student’s immigration status before allowing them to enroll in the fall semester. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/28903041/detail.html
Schools across the country should not be called upon to conduct ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement agency)’s job. Schools should be focusing on improving their programs and delivering a better education to all youth living in America, legal or not.
Meanwhile California's Dream Act has recognized that these children had no say in being here and that as long as they remain they can contribute to our society if we will only provide them the necessary education. As long as we provide this population with the educational opportunities guaranteed to all children in our country, we will increase the number of contributing professionals in our society.
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