When Daniela Martinez graduated from high school last spring, she had a list of extracurricular activities, had been the president of multiple clubs, had perfect grades and was all set to apply to her dream college, the University of Georgia.
But a University System of Georgia Board of Regents policy cut her dream short.
According to Policy 4.1.6., any person in the United States illegally is prohibited from applying to and attending Georgia’s top public universities, which include the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, the Medical College of Georgia and Georgia College and State University.
“Just because I’m undocumented, colleges have closed the doors on me,” Martinez said as she struggled to hold back tears Wednesday during a panel discussion at Clarke Central High School to bring awareness to the plight of undocumented students in the United States. “I had everything (UGA) wanted yet I was not allowed to apply there. I worked so hard to get the grades but the schools don’t see it because I’m undocumented.”
Today, Martinez is a member of Freedom University, a nonprofit organization that provides rigorous college-level courses for undocumented students who don’t have the opportunity to attend public universities, and is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient. DACA is a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security policy that allows certain young immigrants who do not have lawful immigration status, and who came to the United States as children, to remain in the United States temporarily without fear of deportation.
As a result, Martinez has been able to get a Social Security card and driver’s license and is allowed to work in the United States. She’s also partnered with various activist groups and travels the nation speaking out against Policy 4.1.6., immigration discrimination and to put a face on an issue that many Americans feel does not affect them.
“It hurts to see the people you tutored so they could get good grades and people you have been friends with since elementary school apply to your dream college but you are not allowed to apply,” she said. “You might even have higher grades than they do, but because you are undocumented you are not allowed to continue your education.”
“It’s always hard to talk about this,” Martinez continued as she wiped away tears. “People don’t know what it is to be undocumented and to be denied an education. It was not my choice to come to this country, I was brought to this country. Not to say that it’s my parents’ fault, but I think (the U.S.) should start treating immigrants better. I personally have never done anything bad, my record is clean, yet I am being affected by this.”
The panel also included Ian Altman, an English teacher at Clarke Central; Sam Hicks, school counselor at Clarke Central; JoBeth Allen, a retiree of the College of Education at UGA; Betina Kaplan, cofounder of Freedom University and a Spanish professor at UGA, and Carver Goodhue, a member of the Undocumented Student Alliance at UGA and a volunteer with multiple organizations in Athens’ Latino community.
During the discussion, panelists share stories of discrimination they’ve witnessed in public and of undocumented students struggling to gain a higher education in Georgia, and they also shared conversations they’ve had with politicians and leaders.
The group also informed those present of the DREAM Act, a bill that, if implemented, would provide conditional permanent residency to certain immigrants of good moral character who graduate from U.S. high schools, arrived in the United States as minors, and lived in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill’s enactment.
The panel concluded with suggestions of how students can be allies and advocates in the fight against Policy 4.1.6. and discrimination against undocumented people in the United States. Suggestions included writing letters to state politicians, leaders and media outlets, joining or volunteering for organizations that help undocumented people, publicly speaking out against discrimination and continuing to research the topic.
“You can also make a difference by being there for your peers,” Altman said. “These are your classmates and friends. They might not have told you they’re undocumented, but some of them probably are, and when they decide to tell you listen to them, empathize and be there for them, especially emotionally.”
The efforts made by residents in Georgia not only could help undocumented people in Georgia but nationwide, Martinez said.
“I have traveled to a lot of other states and it’s even worse,” Martinez said. “It’s time for young people to stand up and start making more choices. People like you who have citizenship can vote but you are not registering to vote. Your vote could be the voice for people who do not have a vote or a voice. It’s time for you to wake up. You have to control this world and help the people living in it.”
“I’m tired of seeing all of this discrimination, not only against Hispanic people, there are many other races that also are undocumented and we forget about them,” she continued. “If change happens, not only will we benefit, but so many others will benefit as well.”
Follow faith, health and Blueprint reporter April Burkhart at www.facebook.com/AprilBurkhartABH.
No comments:
Post a Comment