• News
    • Campus
    • Local
    • World
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Film
    • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
    • Campus Happenings
    • Community Happenings
    • Food
    • Business
    • Travel
    • Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
    • Globe News
    • What’s Bruin
    • Bruin Lens
    • Film
    • Music
    • Globe Shorts
  • Radio
Search
57.7 F
Salt Lake City
Sunday, May 28, 2023
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Contests
  • About The Globe
    • Staff
    • Jobs
    • Issue PDFs
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
The Globe The Globe
The Globe The Globe
  • News
    • Campus
    • Local
    • World
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Film
    • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
    • Campus Happenings
    • Community Happenings
    • Food
    • Business
    • Travel
    • Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
    • Globe News
    • What’s Bruin
    • Bruin Lens
    • Film
    • Music
    • Globe Shorts
  • Radio
Home News Campus Undocumented students face extra challenges
  • News
  • Campus
  • Local

Undocumented students face extra challenges

By
Graciela Campos
-
February 20, 2013
0

In June of 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security’s deferred action memorandum came into full effect, which allows young undocumented persons who meet a certain criteria to apply for legal documentation to work in the United States.

Some undocumented Salt Lake Community College students benefit from this deferred action, but many also deal with other struggles that come from living as an undocumented person in the United States.

For more information about HB144 or Una Mano Amiga, email Luz Gamarra at Luz.Gamarra@slcc.edu

“It means hope,” said deferred action applicant and SLCC student Alex Delgado. “Hope for kids like me who didn’t have a choice on the type of arrival they made at such a young age.”

Delgado is working on his generals at SLCC. He hopes to transfer to UVU to join the fire academy there. He says that deferred action meant he would be able to work, help out his struggling parents and pursue the career of a firefighter.

Importance of an education

“People take school for granted,” said soon to be SLCC student Valentina Maffey. “People complain about finals and homework. I’m so jealous; I wish I could complain.”

Maffey has wanted to go to SLCC to get her marketing associates degree, but financial issues have prevented her from enrolling. Maffey is an artist, and has been selling her pictures to save up for school.

“[An education] means a chance and an opportunity to live better and a bit easier,” said Maffey.

“People complain about finals and homework. I’m so jealous; I wish I could complain.” -Valentina Maffey

Undocumented students are not eligible for financial aid. Saul Ramirez attended SLCC over the spring 2012 semester.

He says that he had to drop out due to money issues but will return once the work permit from the deferred action comes in the mail.

SLCC Hispanic college advisor Elizete Bond says that financial issues cause many students to come into her office ready to quit school.

Bond advises these students to stick it out because once they earn a diploma and apply for a work permit through deferred action, they can get started on a career.

“Education you hold onto. Nobody can take your education,” said Bond.

Una Mano Amiga

Luz Gamarra, SLCC Hispanic advisor at South City Campus, created a peer mentoring program called “Una Mano Amiga.” This program offers a variety of resources including assistance with homework, resume making and financial help.

“But like my father use to say, ‘it’s better to be ignorant for five minutes than be ignorant for your whole life.’” -Luz Gamarra

Gamarra says that undocumented students often drop out of school because they don’t know about the resources available.

For example, SLCC has the HB144 affidavit, which allows undocumented students who meet certain criteria be able to pay resident tuition.

Without filling out this form, undocumented students have to pay non-resident tuition no matter how long they’ve lived in Utah.

“Most undocumented students are too scared to ask for help,” said Gamarra. “But like my father use to say, ‘it’s better to be ignorant for five minutes than be ignorant for your whole life.’”

  • TAGS
  • Deferred Action
  • HB144
  • peer mentoring program
  • Una Mano Amiga
  • Undocumented students
Graciela Campos

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Multiple people hold signs and applaud in support of DACA

SLCC leaders express disappointment over recent DACA decision that leaves program in limbo

11 students stand on a stairway

Bruin Scholars program helps students transition to SLCC

"Dreamers" poster at the SLCC West Valley Center

How SLCC supports ‘DACAmented’ students

Dream Center front desk in West Valley

SLCC’s ongoing support for ‘DACAmented’ students

SLCC Dream Center logo

SLCC Dream Center presents first annual UndocuWeek

The Globe
ABOUT US
About The Globe
Staff
Jobs
Issue PDFs
FOLLOW US
  • About The Globe
  • Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2023 The Globe