Karla Merino, a fourth-year linguistics student, appears to be a
typical UCLA student. But unlike most students on campus, she only
became a legal U.S. resident in February.
Merino applied to multiple colleges and received admission, but
had to turn down the offers and attend a community college because,
as an undocumented student, she was not eligible for financial
aid.
Undocumented students are able to apply to college and receive
admission to prestigious schools, yet must decline admission
because they have no way to fund their education, said Kenia
Rivera, a member of the education committee of the Immigrant Rights
Coalition student group.
“There are about 40 to 50 undocumented students at UCLA
that I know of,” Rivera said, and added that there are
probably many more he does not know.
Through the rally held today at noon in Bruin Plaza and other
efforts throughout the week, Rivera and other community members
hope to work on behalf of the many undocumented students living in
California to give them more opportunities in higher education.
On the University of California undergraduate application, there
are multiple questions that ask the applicants their citizenship
status or country of citizenship, immigrant status and visa
number.
But undocumented students are able to bypass filling in this
section, because for admission purposes, it is not considered in
the decision process, said Ricardo Vazquez, a spokesman for the UC
Office of the President.
“Students who leave the area blank are considered the same
way as any other student applying from a California high
school,” Vazquez said.
Though undocumented students are looked at by the same academic
admission standards as California residents, they face many
financial restrictions specific to them.
Before 2001, undocumented students had to pay the same tuition
as out-of-state residents.
The passage of Assembly Bill-540 by then-Gov. Gray Davis in
October 2001, allows undocumented students who have attended a
California high school for three or more years to qualify for
in-state student fees.
Still, Vazquez said undocumented students cannot receive
financial aid or loans, and added that they are only eligible for
private funds, such as scholarships.
“(Undocumented students) don’t have time to voice
their opinion. They have no loans, no financial aid,” Rivera
said. “They pay for their tuition themselves.”
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act,
which is currently being discussed in Congress, would give
undocumented students the opportunity to become legal U.S.
residents.
Students supporting the DREAM Act in today’s rally are
endorsing its original provisions, said Matt Kaczmarek, former
external vice president of the Undergraduate Students Association
Council.
Critics of the DREAM Act see it as an “illegal alien
amnesty,” according to CNN.com. They believe it will attract
more illegal immigrants.
But “it is not about getting free money,” Merino
said.
She said that something as attainable for others, such as
getting loans and financial aid, is impossible for undocumented
students.
“I want the DREAM Act to pass so other students
won’t have to go through what I did,” Merino said about
her past. “I wouldn’t worry about my classes; I would
worry about how to pay for next quarter.”