Accessible education

As I snapped pictures during Storm Lake's graduation on Sunday, I couldn't help but wonder how many students were the first in their families to receive high school diploma.

It may have been the huge smiles as they peeked at their diploma or the way they carefully carried their leather diploma case, but judging by some enormous balloon, flower and candy presentations on the high school lawn following the ceremony, it was evident quite a few had achieved a special milestone in their family's history.

But those words of congratulations, happy tears and grins will quickly melt away, as many graduates face a bitter reality: missing out on higher education due to citizenship status.

Wherever a student chooses to go, college is expensive, but without legally employable status and access to government financial aid, it's nearly impossible.

The College Board and Immigration Policy Center have estimated 65,000 undocumented students graduate each year, but only five to 10 percent are able to go to college.

One undocumented recent graduate of Storm Lake High School, who was featured in an NBC piece on educationnation.com, said she wants to go on to college, but is unsure how she will afford it.

Pursuing jobs that pay cash, like babysitting, are her only option.

The DREAM Act would change all of that - undocumented students would be granted residency, which would pave the path to financial aid, and legal residency for six years. Upon receiving a degree or completing service in the armed forces, they would qualify for permanent residency.

Rep. Steve King, one of the most outspoken critics of the bill, has labeled it as a "pardon" and "reward" for lawbreaking, and has said students should go back to their home countries and wait for legal immigration, just like everyone else should.

But these young teens know little of life south of the border, having lived most of their life in the U.S. Most of them would likely consider themselves to be American, even if their documentation indicates otherwise.

The dream of a college degree, good paying job, car and home, shouldn't be out of reach for anyone, including teens who had zero say as young children when their parents entered the U.S.

The DREAM Act is currently on hold, but e-mails, phone calls and letters to congressional representatives could help nudge it along to its passage.

Regardless of race or immigration status, the American Dream should be available to those who wish to better themselves and society through higher education or military service.

* Reach the columnist at amiller@stormlakepilottribune.com.