Concerned School Counselor
 

I am not Latino. I do not pretend to understand the daily struggles that my Latino students and friends go throgh. I am willing and able to provide whatever information I can, to whomever I can, as often as I can. I am willing to learn from the Latino community. I would like to complete research on Latinos within the American school system. Until today, I'd never really thought about whether my Latino students would be allowed to matriculate into a college, university, trade school, community college, whatever.

Today, my 14 year old 8th grade student provided me with an education.
The conversation went something like this....

DG: Mrs. CC, you know how we're talking about going to high school, college, and what kind of careers we like?

CC: Yeah?

DG: Well, a lot of us can't go.

CC: Baby, yes you can. Anyone can go to college if they do what they are supposed to do in middle school and high school. You may get a scholarship or a loan, or something. You just have to want to go.
DG: No. We don't have our papers, so we can't go to college. My cousin is in 12th grade, and she has to move back to Mexico to go to college because she doesn't have her papers.

CC: Oh, sweetheart, I never thought about. I knew your parents didn't have their papers, but I just assumed you were born here.

DG: No, Person A, Person B (and the list of students continues) don't have their papers either. I don't know about the other Latinos, but I know the Mexicans here who dont' have their papers. Even if we make good grades and get into magnet schools we can't go to college. [I'd just recommended that this particular student apply for one of the local magnet schools].

CC: Are there any good colleges in Mexico?

DG: I don't know. But I don't want to go there to go to college.

CC: I know sweetie. You were born there, but you grew up here. This is home for you. I honestly don't know. I'm going to have to do some research and get back to you. Worst case, we can at least begin to look at what colleges Mexico has to offer, and find out which ones are the best. Or maybe, you can get a student visa. I just don't know.

DG: Okay.

CC: I'm sorry. I just don't know what else to tell you.


So this was the conversation I had about two hours ago. Once I got home, I spoke with a friend who I thought could help me. She told me about the DREAM Act.

I feel like crying for this student and every other student who is going through the same thing. I now understand why some of my students have no motivation to do well in, or even attend, school. What's the point when your hardwork doesn't pay off. We require all students, illegal immigrants or not, to attend school until they are 18 years old. We tell them the reward will be graduating from high school, then going off to college, and finally getting that dream job. The dream is a lie for some. We snatch it away before they even have a chance.

I empathize with all of you.
If you have any suggestions on what I can say to my Latino students, or what I can do with my Latino students that would be helpful, I am up for any and all suggestions.

Thanks for listening.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

You can help by raising awareness of the importance of the DREAM Act.

But we're all very cautious with our legal status [or lack thereof], so you should advice your students to be less open about passing out names of friends who have no papers.
They might tell the wrong people.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

In which state of the country are you located? Some states allow undocumented immigrant students to obtain in-state tuition, while there are some that don't. (The majority don't). There are some that do. The Dream Act would first of all help all undocumented immigrant students obtain conditional permanent residency.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

I've known my students for 3 years. They understand my support of the Latino community. I don't think she just goes around telling people's status. Besides, as a counselor, she knows I am ethically obligated to keep our conversations private, and I can only discuss them if I do not reveal identities (unless hurt, harm, or danger is involved).

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

My state does not allow this option. The friend that I spoke with about the situation gave me a list of states.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Look for privately funded scholarships, I'm also in a state that doesn't give undocumented students in-state tuition, however thanks to a privately founded scholarship I will be graduating in December. The road is much more tougher for undocumented students but there is a little narrow path of opportunity with these privately funded scholarships and with the Dream Act. Also vote for Obama as he supports the dream act and has expressed that this is something that must be passed right away. On the other hand McCain says that he wants what his supporters want: enforcement first before ANY kind of immigration benefit for people that are already here. This includes the Dream Act (which is pretty sad by the way).

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Is there a possibility that when attempting to register for school that a student can be denied and then forced to leave because INS has been contacted? I know for me, I don't care about the immigration status of my students. I will help whomever comes into my doorway.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Guys, please forgive my ignorance... I'm just asking you some of the questions my student asked me (or made me think of).

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Welcome to the forum. It is a genuine pleasure to have an educator here. You are the same people who we come to for support everyday all across the country and we are grateful for all the advice and help our counselors provide. Though, there can only be a legislative solution to our dilemma, it is incredibly uplifting to have the education community support our efforts to pass the DREAM Act.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Legally, schools--including colleges--are not allowed to report undocumented students. Illegal immigrants who enroll in college sign up as non-residents and pay the higher fees.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Please, feel free to ask any question. Almost all colleges and universities don't report undocumented students who choose to apply to their institution. The reason is that there is no system or established protocol. Additionally, applications to colleges/universities are strictly protected under federal privacy laws which prohibit institutions from divulging information to third parties, such as federal agencies. Unless, it is within established protocol such as a school providing information to the Department of Education for processing a student's FAFSA application.

Also, its a matter of principle, in that many university deans and admissions counselors understand that it is not their job nor duty to act as immigration officers. Bottom line, there is virtually no risk (in regard to immigration issues) when applying to colleges/universities.

Some colleges have a policy of not admitting undocumented students (this is usually the case in public universities), but no college will report the information to INS in an effort to enforce immigration law.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Welcome! It's a pleasure to have you here, especially knowing how much you seem to care for your students. A few things I would like to point out first:

*Spread the word to your students about the Dream Act. There are so many misconceptions and flat out lies in the general public regarding the Dream Act, so the more people who know what it truly stands for, the better we all are. Especially those who, like your students, can stand to benefit from it. We are going to need all the help we can get to garner enough votes for the passage of Dream when the time comes, and we would most certainly appreciate any help we can get.

*It seems like a majority of your students may be Latino, but I encourage you to spread the word that the Dream Act would benefit kids from all over the world. Here on the forum, every continent (except Antarctica) is represented. There are African, Asian, European, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern Dreamers in the exact same situation.

We all have different interests, from medicine to law to social work to academia to finance to engineering and more. We're all different individuals bound by a common thread, a thread that has a huge impact on our lives. You would never know our "secret" if you met us on the street one day. We're American in every way but writing, and refuse to be downgraded to second-class status.

*Here are some resources you may want to look into:
This is the now infamous(around here) Senator Durbin speech on the Senate floor about the Dream Act: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N0EdqN6VBw

Here is a very good list of scholarships your students could possibly be eligible for: http://www.maldef.org/pdf/Scholarships_01252003.pdf

There's information to be found on this website that could potentially be helpful. If there's anything specific you need, don't hesitate to ask. Same goes for if there are any more questions your students have.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

I thank all of you for your comments, concerns, and advice. I will definitely (I have already joined the cause and sent emails on fbook) spread the word and contact my respective elected officials.

I will definitely tell my student all that I've learned tonight. Maybe even bring her to this site. Hopefully, I can help her cousin get into school here in the States.

I do realize that this site is composed of a conglomeration of individuals from different countries. However, the majority of the students I work with on a daily basis are Latino, that's why that population has been my primary concern (especially in a state that is seemingly anti-Hispanic).

Please continue to provide helpful feedback.

On another note....in the near future (next fall hopefully ;-) ) I will begin work on my dissertation. I will probably be bugging you guys when that time comes.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Thank you for all your help and support, its greatly appreciated. :smile:

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Thank you for joining and being vocal in your support for the dream act. A large number of us cannot be vocal because we do not want to 'advertise' our situation.

I hope you will continue to be an advocate of the DREAMers and give voice to the voiceless…

Thank you

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Wow, that is really awesome. Thank you for supporting those kids, it is great to see an educator who really cares and dedicates their life in teaching and education. You remind me of my wonderful teachers in high school.

I would personally tell your students that there is a lot of hope. It may be harder but it is totally worth it. So many people on this forum made so many sacrifices and they can tell you that their lives are not easy. Many of us are studying full time, working full time, and doing whatever we can in order to get our education.

But if they want it bad enough, they can get their education and there is still a lot of hope in terms of Dream, scholarships, marriage???, and even immigrating to a different country. I think it is clear that education is power to people like us who have no power and that it should be of the utmost priority in dreamer's life.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

i had the same conversation with my h.s counselor 3 days ago and she had the same reaction. she suggested private universities. she told me that because i was illegal i would not be able to obtain government help but if i got accepted into a private university then my chances to obtaining financial aid would be alot higher then if i attend a public university. im glad you are trying to inform yourself about this topic. It's something very fragil and i hope that more people like you get involved in our cause.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Welcome to DAP! I am 6 months from graduating my Bachelor's degree, you can help by asking your students to advocate for the Dream Act, and by letting your colleagues know about their situation so that they can also advocate.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

:-P Once again. I thank everyone for your responses. Yesterday I called the student to my office and logged on to the website so she could see some of the different things people were saying.

Whomever gave me the link to the scholarships:smile: I printed off the entire list and told the student to take it home to her cousin.

Today, the student came to my office and expressed how appreciative her cousin was. PLUS, she told me that when she was telling her family about the Dream Act, she found out that another one of her cousins has been involved in the effort for several years now. She said he'd gone to D.C and met "with senators and stuff". I think this is totally fascinating.

:idea: The student is now helping me with starting a group for my Latino students so they can be informed of their options, and what could possibly be coming down the line in the near future.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

^^^That's awesome! The biggest help for them is just spreading the word, so that they realize there are some options available to them, as you said. If they need any more help, they can always register and ask questions :)

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

i wish i had a counselor or a teacher that was as sympathetic as you. i really mean that.

it was so obvious that my teachers and counselors really did not care much about my situation; i think some of them were even a little peeved that i was undocumented.

all i can say is, please support the dream act and candidates that support the dream act. As an American citizen Mrs. CC, you have far more influence then many of us. Please call senators and candidates and let them know that your an American citizen who wants the Dream act

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Here's some more information you could use.

http://www.greendot.org/files/Websit...40%20Guide.pdf

http://professionals.collegeboard.co...ented-students

Although your students may not be ab540 students (students from California), there still good resources there.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Oh wow, thanks for caring, concerned counselor!

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

If I knew that my counselor would react the same way you do, concerned counselor, I'd be more willing to tell my story.
Even though I know that they wouldn't be able to report me, I'd still feel uncomfortable if my counselor acts strangely toward my status.

Use your citizenship to your advantage, CC.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

^ I had a bad experience with a counselor in high school. She kept badgering me about my Social Security number at her office when I wouldn't commit (the topic was my college application). It was not fun.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

Did you finally tell her that you don't have one?

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

^ No, I kept saying a variation of talk to my parents to every question about it. I guess I exasperated her because she asked almost the same exact same thing about my SS number and I basically had the same answer.

Re: Concerned School Counselor
 

LoL, This reminds me of a time when I worked at a place on a work permit for two years after it expired. I kept on saying …I’ll bring it tomorrow, I’ll bring it tomorrow, I’ll bring it tomorrow, I’ll bring it next week.. Finally the HR person got transferred to another office and I was left alone until I quit :grin:. The new HR didn’t care or did not notice my work permit expired.