Undocumented
immigrant tackles scholastic woes
By Jessica Perez
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
On an ordinary spring weekday, Cal State Long Beach student Israel Agustin walks
through the campus just like any other student.
He hikes up the same short stairs other students use to get to upper campus,
purchases the same books at the University Bookstore, and fights for the same
close parking spot every student wants to score.
But there is one difference: He is an illegal immigrant from Mexico whose future
currently lies in the hands of legislators in Washington D.C.
“ It’s been difficult for me, but I continue to do what I do. Most
people don’t know my situation, not even my professors,” said Agustin,
a computer science major.
Currently a senior at CSULB with an associate’s degree from Santa Monica
Community College, Agustin has been able to pay in-state tuition throughout his
college career with help from California Assembly Bill 540.
Enacted in the 2001-02 academic session, A.B. 540, referred to by many as “The
Dream Act,” allows undocumented immigrant students to attend California
colleges and public universities paying in-state tuition fees if the immigrant
student meets certain requirements.
With a drive that has kept him going since he first arrived to the United States
in 1993, Agustin has never given up his dream to attain a higher education. His
parents originally moved here from Oaxaca, Mexico, to offer him and his sister
a better life, educationally and financially.
“ This country has more opportunities. I can go to school and there’s
a lot of help. The situation in Mexico forces you to skip school and work for
a living,” said Agustin, who, although attending CSULB, is not eligible
to receive financial aid because of his illegal status.
Although he is very positive about finishing his bachelor’s degree next
year, Agustin realizes his dream may just be shattered within the next few months,
if recently proposed immigration reforms pass.
“ It makes me mad, you know,” Agustin said. “I would want to
change their minds; the way they see us, like criminals, like we’re taking
away their stuff. We just want to work, help the country and go to school.”
House Resolution 4437, a proposed bill that will tighten immigration policies
in the United States, has already passed in the House of Representatives and
is still pending in the U.S. Senate. Agustin worries because proposed immigration
legislation will do away with many programs designed to help immigrants.
“ I think this country needs us, just like we need them,” Agustin
said. “It’s unfair to try to take everything away from us now. I
feel like part of this country.”
Agustin’s routine is like many living in this country. After his father
died in 1995, he was the male figure in the household and his priority soon became
helping his mother. He currently works full time at a café in Santa Monica
while going to school as much as he can.
“ He’s just like any other guy trying to survive in Los Angeles,
going to school and working full time,” said Nishant Patel, a
computer engineering major and Agustin’s classmate for four years.
But Agustin said he has some concerns most other people do not. He said simply
driving his car is stressful because he may get pulled over and “get caught.”
“ It’s the little things that get you down, like not having a license
to drive,” Agustin said. “You’re always afraid you’re
gonna get caught. You wish you had everything legal in your life.”
With big plans to work in computer programming and design software, Agustin keeps
his focus and drives away the fear.
“ It never occurred to him that his legal status would hinder him from
getting a quality education,” Patel said. “He has good direction
to achieve his degree.”
Although many share Agustin’s American dream, he feels legalization will
help him reach it. In spite of the opportunities his illegal status’keeps
him from obtaining, he said the support from his family is what has motivated
him to continue.
“ We encourage him to continue his education for himself, for his future,
not for us,” said his sister Adelaida Agustin, 26. “We are very happy
and proud that someone in the family will be receiving a degree. It’s not
easy, and in our situation, not all of us can do it.”
|
