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This week, the deferred deportation policy was launched by our President. Through this policy, young immigrants who are not documented are allowed to remain in the country and get a temporary work permit. In spite of this policy, college dream will not be accessible for many young immigrants.

The order announced by President Obama makes it very clear that this is only to help students avoid work and deportation. This will however not be an opportunity to gain citizenship. Immigrant students recently graduated from colleges and do not have documents can now work in their field of study. Prior to this, these students could only work as unpaid interns or independent contractors.

Every year at least 65,000 immigrants graduate from high school. For them, it is now easier to earn a college degree as many hurdles are removed. Cost however is one of the major barriers that they will continue to face. Students eligible for the federal grants and loans must necessarily be a US citizen or a green card holder.

According to Excelencia in Education policy and research vice president and co-founder Deborah Santiago, pursuing higher education for these students is going to be a hugely challenging preposition. Undocumented immigrant children who were given access to K-12 education in 1982 are now entering their adulthood.

They are all a part of the school’s sports and club activities and they also speak excellent English. They all have a goal of attending colleges in America just like their peers. Opportunities however are very limited for them especially after they reach the age of 16. When most American children get into college or get their first job and driving license, undocumented immigrants realize the status they are in.

According to University of Chicago’s sociologist Roberto Gonzales, this is a trying time for them when all their friends move ahead. This greatly impacts their own mobility and on their mental, emotional well-being and self-esteem.

Higher education was not addressed comprehensively by the Supreme Court ruling in the Plyler v. Doe ruling in 1982. The decision on allowing illegal immigrants to attend colleges depends entirely on the colleges and individual states.

Between 1982 and 2007, there was a 439 per cent increase in tuition fees even as there was a 147 per cent rise in family median income. Average students in our country are helped by scholarships, grants, student and parent loans. These resources pay for at least 55 per cent of the cost of education says a report from Sallie Mae, one of the biggest private student lenders.

Only a very small portion of these resources can be accessed by undocumented immigrant students. These students always end up paying much more even though certain states offer them aid.
Even if they opt to study at the community colleges, these students are able to afford only a couple of classes per semester. They are forced to work full time and thus have to take frequent breaks and this makes it much longer for them to graduate.