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DREAM Act

"I found out I wouldn't receive government assistance or loans because of my immigrant status."

Listen to this Commentary!

By Ana Rojas Mejia

While the INS is cracking down on immigrant student visas, a little known bill in the US congress might make it easier for undocumented immigrants to get a college education. Sponsored by an unlikely pairing of Democrats and Republicans, the DREAM act would allow undocumented students who have attended American high schools to qualify for government aid to go to college. Currently, thousands of illegal immigrant teenagers who grew up in the United States with outstanding academic records are accepted to prestigious colleges and universities, but can't afford to attend. Ana Rojas Mejia is valedictorian at Castlemont High School in Oakland. She is fundraising to attend a University of California school.

I don't remember much about crossing the border from Mexico to California. I was seven years old, almost eight.

I started second grade two weeks after we crossed the border. I was still so excited from our journey that it took me a couple of days to notice that I didn't understand the language the students and the teachers spoke. I only knew what English I learned in Mexico — the numbers one through ten, and some of the colors. Fortunately, I had a couple of good friends who helped me and translated what the teachers said.

I never felt like I didn't belong. I don't consider being an illegal immigrant a sin, or something to be ashamed about. As a kid I didn't even think about applying for legal status — I was living the same American life as everyone else. I didn't know that there would come a time when I wouldn't have the same opportunities as my classmates. I just kept being a dedicated student and figured things would work out.

Once I got to high school, especially when I started applying to colleges, I found out I wouldn't receive government assistance or loans because of my immigrant status. I didn't have a social security card and I was afraid of not getting accepted to any college at all. But my instincts have always told me to do the right thing, and so I applied. I also applied for legal status. It's a confusing process and I'm risking everything to become a legal resident. If things don't go well, my mom and I could be deported back to Mexico.

But the risk is worth it if I can afford to go to college. If I can raise enough money, I'll attend University of California Davis in the fall. I want to study animal science and become a veterinarian.

I've been lucky. I've received a lot of donations from people who want to help, but I have a lot of friends who cannot go to college. For me, I have to get to the next level. If students like myself have demonstrated that we are committed to our education, we are already giving our knowledge and services to this country. Now all I want is for the country to give me something back. To let me get the education I've worked so hard for.