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For most 23-year-olds at UNCA, the recently concluded spring semester was a rite of passage, signaling the end of their college years and a big transition into the working world. But for sophomore Loida Ginocchio-Silva, it was just one more semester in a college career that stretches endlessly before her — assuming she could somehow manage to keep it going. Born in Lima, Peru, she came to the U.S. with her family at age 13, speaking not a word of English. But she worked hard and, encouraged by some high-school teachers, took courses at Alamance Community College before transferring to UNCA in the fall of 2010.
As an undocumented student, however, Ginocchio-Silva isn’t eligible for financial aid, and despite having lived in North Carolina for a decade, she’s charged out-of-state tuition. This spring, she was enrolled in one class, for which she says she paid about $2,000. Ginocchio-Silva’s undocumented status also prevents her from finding stable employment. So she works odd jobs — dishwashing, baby-sitting — anything to help her cobble together her tuition payments. But that hasn’t cowed her spirit. “My intention is not to make anyone feel sad for me. I’m not afraid, and I’m not ashamed of being undocumented,” she explains. “That’s just a label that’s been imposed on me: I’m a human being, and that’s not who I am.”
Meanwhile, on Jan. 27, Rep. George Cleveland introduced HB 11, titled “No Postsecondary Education/Illegal Aliens,” which would have barred undocumented immigrants from attending North Carolina’s public universities and community colleges at all. Concerned about the bill, a member of the NC DREAM Team, a statewide student group promoting immigrant rights, sent the Onslow County Republican an email stating, “It is saddening that one of our state’s representatives would go out of their way to deny a segment of our state’s population the right to educate and better themselves.”
According to the group’s website, Cleveland responded: “I find it revolting that an American thinks that we should financially support people that cannot legally work in this country through taxpayer-subsidized education. If you feel so strongly about this issue, find an illegal and pay for their education at a private university.” Cleveland did not respond to requests for comment; the bill died in committee, but it could conceivably be revived as an amendment to another bill.
Ginocchio-Silva came to the U.S. with her mother and brother on April 21, 2001. Her father had applied for a religious-worker visa and planned to join the family later. But they made some mistakes in the application process that they were unable to correct later; and when the family’s tourist visa expired, they stayed on.
or should those opportunities be reserved for those who have followed all the rules.
Originally posted by Night Star
How many of our citizens from out of state are allowed in state tuition? Where are their breaks?
Originally posted by ignorant_ape
reply to post by incrediblelousminds
or should those opportunities be reserved for those who have followed all the rules.
exactly
also - i have a question - how is the father in the US ?edit on 7-7-2011 by ignorant_ape because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by incrediblelousminds
Originally posted by Night Star
How many of our citizens from out of state are allowed in state tuition? Where are their breaks?
Would it be necessary to end all differences in in state and out of state tuition if there was some sort of specific category formed for young students who have been here their whole life, but who came here under illegal circumstances possibly out of their control?
Do we not all benefit from them being more educated?
Originally posted by Night Star
With millions of un-employed citizens, do we really need more competition?
Should we reward the parents who had no respect for our laws by giving 'their' kids a break?
I'm sure my brother would have loved the help to put his two daughters through college. Unfortunately, it became too expensive for him.
Originally posted by silent thunder
They are not "undocumented students."
They are ILLEGAL ALIENS breaking the rule of law by their very physical presence and they need to be deported, not educated.
If you believe in rule of the law, refuse to use the word "undocumented," it is a cop-out and designed to get people thinking the law is not important.
Originally posted by Night Star
It has cost us billions in free education for these kids from grade 1 to 12.
There are too many hand outs to illegals which only encourages more
Millions of citizens are displaced in the workforce because of illegals.
Many States are coming down hard on them and thinking of the citizens first as it should be.
It has cost us billions in free education for these kids from grade 1 to 12. Now they want a break on a college education when our own kids arn't getting a break?
Many States are coming down hard on them and thinking of the citizens first as it should be.
Originally posted by Night Star
reply to post by incrediblelousminds
Obama puts Social Security, Medicare cuts on the table and we are supposed to help illegals?
Illegals know full well that they are taking a job that belongs to a citizen. they are not blameless. They have also driven wages down for others.
Illegal immigration is a huge problem on so many levels. Check out the numerous threads on the issues here at ATS.
Originally posted by Night Star
So you think an illegal child should get a benefit that a citizen child won't get.
With the economy being so bad and important things are being cut or about to be cut, you feel it is just fine to spend all that money on illegal kids who won't be able to get a proffesional job when they graduate because they are illegal. Yeah that makes sense.