Students walk to DC, demand immigration reform

By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Felipe Matos graduated from a two-year college with an associate degree and honors for his academic achievements. But he put his dreams of earning a bachelor degree on hold because immigration laws make it financially impossible.

Matos came to this country illegally when he was 14. He graduated from high school and planned to become a teacher. But about 40 states -- including Georgia -- do not allow undocumented students to pay in-state college tuition, even if they graduated from one of the states' high schools. Instead these students must pay out-of-state tuition, which is often three times as expensive.

When Georgia passed a law in 2006 ordering all agencies to make sure they're in compliance with immigration law, the bill's architects said it made no sense for the state to subsidize the education of students who would not be able to work legally after graduation. Leaders also feared Georgia would face the lawsuits similar to those filed in California and New York when colleges there offered in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

Matos and three other undocumented students are walking 1,500 miles -- from Miami to Washington, D.C. -- to promote in-state tuition at public colleges for illegals and other aspects of immigration reform. The students were in Atlanta last week and plan to arrive in the nation's capitol in May.

"When I arrived in this country I was told that if I worked hard and did my best, all my dreams would come true," said Matos, 24, who attended school in Miami. "That is what I did but my dream is on hold. My dream may be simple but all I want to do is go into a room of high school students and teach them and tell them that they have talent and can do anything if they put their minds to it."

For nearly a decade Congress has debated bills that would grant legal status to undocumented minors and guarantee them in-state tuition at public colleges. Immigration bills are currently before Congress but they face competition from those tied to the economy and health care.

Reform has implications for Georgia, which saw its illegal immigrant population grow by 20,000 to 480,000 in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Georgia was one of the few states to experience an increase, according to the report.

It's difficult to determine how many undocumented students attend Georgia's public colleges. The state doesn't track the data and students are not required to disclose their status when they enroll.

The issue comes up when Georgia's colleges recruit Latino students, who are expected to make up nearly one-fourth of the state's high school graduates by 2022. The size of this group makes them desirable to colleges and their success, or failure, will affect the state's economic well-being.

While some students worry they or their families may get deported if they apply to college, local recruiters said cost is the bigger issue.

"Normally the first question these students and their families ask is how much college will cost," said Eric Cuevas, a recruiter for Georgia Perimeter College. "They are reluctant to take on debt for college. And when some families realize they pay more because they're not eligible for in-state tuition, many are afraid that can't afford it."

Cuevas explained spending money on college now will help students earn higher salaries later. But he and other recruiters agree that higher costs make college less accessible.

Undocumented students are not eligible for Georgia's academic HOPE scholarship, which covers most tuition and fees. Their immigration status makes it impossible to apply for federal grants or low-cost loans.

Only 5 percent of the nearly 650,000 illegal students in the U.S. who graduated from high school each year enroll in college, according to a report from the College Board. While some foundations provide scholarships without requiring proof of citizenship, students said those awards aren't worth enough.

"All we want is equal access to education and a path to citizenship," said Juan Rodriguez, 20, another college student participating in the walk. "We came here as children and now we have the same college dreams as other students. You may call us illegals but we are not criminals."

Opponents of the Congressional bills have included those who followed legal channels to enter to the U.S. and say their tax dollars should not go to support those who took an easier route.

Matos said they're not looking for special treatment.

"We are doing this because we really love this country," Matos said. "We want to be a part of this country and give back. This walk is our declaration of love and we want people to understand that there are real people behind this issue."

To learn more about the "Trail of Dreams" -- the journey as four students walk from Miami to Washington, D.C. to promote immigration reform -- go to www.trail2010.org.