National Study on Undocumented Students Unveiled in Washington, D.C.
Guadalupe, an undocumented student at 潑請弝け University who was born in Mexico and graduated from the Bridgeport, Conn. public school system, hopes to work in Information Systems one day.
The outgoing Dolan School of Business freshman receives tuition assistance, but without citizenship, the bright 18-year-old has a number of obstacles that might hold her back, including studying abroad and uncertain career prospects since she doesnt have a social security number. President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program offers her temporary relief so she can get a drivers license and obtain authorization to work legally.
To help students like Guadalupe, Jesuit university and college presidents, senators, and members of Congress joined more than 50 students and dozens of faculty and administrators at a Feb. 26 event, Immigration: Undocumented Students in Higher Education, held Washington, D.C.
Researchers unveiled the findings of a Ford Foundation-funded study, Immigrant Student National Position Paper, an endeavor led by 潑請弝けs Center for Faith and Public Life in Connecticut, in collaboration with Loyola University Chicagos Center for Urban Research and Learning and Santa Clara University in California.
The study proposes a new model of leadership in higher education regarding access to education, particularly for the undocumented.
Of the 65,000 undocumented American students who graduate high school annually, roughly 5-10% of these students enter post-secondary education. A handful at the top of their class are awarded merit-based scholarships or find a way to finance attendance at a Jesuit institution, with their storied history of serving immigrants.
The presidents of 25 Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) recently signed a statement pledging their support to the education and care of undocumented students, and many were at the event to support these individuals who were brought to the U.S. as young children by parents who either overstayed a legal visa or entered the country without the authorization of the federal government. Researchers said their obstacles, issues, and desires serve as a to do list of what any new practices and procedures must address. They include:
* Inability to reach potential: In the U.S. today, many undocumented students find themselves limited in their ability to contribute to the civic life of their surroundings.
* Fear of deportation: From application to graduation, they worry whether their status will change their life or a family member's forever.Broken dreams: Those eager to become teachers, accountants, engineers, nurses, and physicians are barred from pursuing those professions since they cannot get the proper certifications nor do internships to meet degree requirements.
* Limited opportunities: Other barriers they face include inability to work on and off campus; study abroad; go on service trips: take on resident assistant, student government or other leadership roles; participate in research; and attend academic conferences.
* No financial aid: The undocumented cannot apply for or receive any federal aid, including federal work-study stipends, and state aid is limited or non-existent for them.Isolation: They feel disconnected from fellow students and professors.
* Culture shock: Some experience college campus culture shock because the demographics are so different from where they came from.
* Lack of public support: Over 75% of Jesuit university staffers believe that enrolling and supporting undocumented students fits with the mission of Jesuit higher education. However, most recognized that their institutions do not publicly identify their support for the undocumented. At the heart of the Immigrant Student National Position Paper is a call for improved institutional practices at Jesuit institutions in the United States to help these young people flourish on campus and off, said Project Leader Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., director of the Center for Faith and Public Life and professor of sociology. Ultimately, this project presents a way of proceeding on this area of immigration that informs and helps shape the national educational discourse. Our findings revealed that a pathway to citizenship will not solve all of the challenges these student face. Additional policies that address the needs of the students as well as their families are critical.
The Project recommendations include:
* Support reform of U.S. immigration law that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented students. A majority of Jesuit presidents have already signed a document supporting this path.
* Modify admissions materials so that applicants dont have to put their social security numbers or citizenship status to apply.
* Identify that aid is available to undocumented students.Create a database of alumni who were undocumented who can assist undocumented students with their post grad careers.
* Train university staff specifically on the needs of the undocumented.
Project Manager Melissa Quan, associate director of the Center for Faith and Public Life and director of Service Learning, noted, We see these individuals promise and want to help them reach their full human potential, it is our responsibility.
For more information, visit http://www.fairfield.edu/cfpl/cfpl_immigrant.html.
Above, CFPL director Rick Ryscavage S.J. unveiling the study in Washington.
