Undocumented Immigrants

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“Education is the pathway to success.” This is what my teachers, parents, and peers told me growing up. I knew that if I wanted to better my life, I would need to get a college education. I am thankful to have the opportunity to attend a university and receive a high-quality education. Unfortunately, many students do not have the chance to get an education past secondary school. Many of these students are undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants can get a public-school education for grades K through 12, but when it is time to get an education that will lead to social mobility, they are not afforded the privilege. A college education is now essential to becoming successful in the United States – a high school degree is not enough, but for immigrants who yearn to make a living for themselves in the United States, they have limited options in regards to education. Torres and Wicks-Asbun (2014) …show more content…

Larissa Martinez, a high school graduate, revealed she was an undocumented immigrant in her high school valedictorian speech. She talked about how many undocumented immigrants will not have the chance to attend education beyond secondary school. Martinez mentions that “school became her safe haven because… that might be the only way to help [her] family” (The Dallas Morning News, 2016, 4:28). Not only do Americans look for social mobility through education, but immigrants do as well. Fortunately, Martinez can attend college through college funds, but many students in her situation do not have the means to get a college education because they do not have the money to afford it. People like Larissa struggle daily to achieve the “American Dream,” but fall short when pursuing a college education which they cannot afford or

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