As President Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney court Latino voters, CNN takes an In Depth look at what matters most to this diverse group, and how that will influence elections.
By Thelma Gutierrez, CNN
(CNN) - When we first met Nancy Guarneros three years ago, she was a 21-year-old honors student at University of California, Los Angeles working cash jobs as a tutor and babysitter to pay her way. At the time, she was applying for graduate programs.
One by one, letters of acceptance came in: Harvard, Brown, Columbia.
But Nancy couldn’t afford them on her own, and wasn’t eligible for financial aid. In her senior year of high school, when she asked her mother for a birth certificate to apply for a California driver’s license, she learned she was an undocumented immigrant.
Her mother, who worked as a nanny in Los Angeles, brought her into the United States without documents when Nancy was a baby. The revelation closed the door on greatest hope Nancy had for a life out of poverty – an education.
Currently, undocumented students cannot apply for student financial aid and they can’t legally work – so unless they can come up with tuition on their own, many are forced to give up their academic aspirations.
“I was devastated, blindsided, I worked so hard to get into college, now what?” Guarneros said.
California became the first state to pass legislation that opens up public aid for undocumented students,a major turning point for people like Nancy. The California DREAM Act, which Governor Jerry Brown signed into law last month, will allow undocumented students to apply for both public and privately funded scholarships. For Nancy and thousands of her peers who came together in a relentless call for action, this was is a symbol of hope for their future.
"Governor Brown kept his promise to immigrant youth. We were happy he did, since so many of us helped out on his campaign,” Guarneros said. “California took a stand in the right direction, in essence did the opposite of what’s happening in other part of the country like Alabama. California is setting the example so that other states can follow.”
After she completed her undergraduate degree, Nancy decided to stay at UCLA, where she earned a master’s degree in education. Last year, Claremont Graduate University in Southern California, offered her a full scholarship to pursue a doctorate in education. Her dream is to teach, but as a student, she discovered another passion – advocating for immigrant rights.
This year, she organized a collaborative art exhibit featuring paintings and photographs of a number of undocumented students like herself, called “Dreamers.” With dozens of contributions from her peers, her dream was realized. On opening night, more than 200 people came to show their support for “Intersecting Realities: Visions of Immigrant Narratives,” which is on display at the UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education.
“I want to show that we’re not just activists, and we’re not just students,” Guarneros said. “We’re also sisters, brothers, loved ones and to be able to show the intersections of all these students.”
“These images are starting to become dominant,” she said. “This issue is so rooted in my heart; it’s so important to me now. If we get the federal DREAM Act to pass, we need to consider our parents and immigration reform. There’s always going to be someone to fight for.”
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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you are a beautiful american, nancy. and more importantly, a beautiful person. strength to you and your family (immediate and broader).
Exceptional young lady, keep doing what you doing! sooner or later all your hard work will be paid off! Good luck
This is such a shining light in a time of darkness. Nancy is an inspiration and reflects the stories of many of America's youth. The DREAM Act in California opens up so many opportunities for youth to move on to higher education and contribute back to their communities as Nancy is doing. To go on to be an educator–such an important and needed position in our nation–Nancy is presenting a great story.
Nancy is an inspiration to ALL, regardless of immigration status. You make our society better, more educated, and more socially responsible. THANK YOU. Now, rather than promote hate and racism, let's pass the DREAM Act and encourage more youth to continue their education and improve OUR society for all our sakes.
I have a DREAM that immigrants wanting to live and study here will abide by the laws of this Country. Laws that were in place before they got in. This is supposed to be a nation of laws. No illegal immigrants should be given citizenship. We have immigration laws that must be followed, and following those laws is the pathway to being a legal resident in the U.S.
arale I agree with you. Even more settling. ICE knows where she is and where she will be..she is still an illegal she needs to be deported.
bravo to the young lady.
I guess us Americans prefer illegals to run around without an education and infested with disease as opposed to getting them an education and having them healthy so that they can TRANSFORM THEIR DILAPIDATING COMMUNITIES, right?
Minorities already go through many struggles, discrimination, exclusion in their life BUT to be DENIED AN EDUCATION is just INHUMANE.
The US has this colonizing agenda that we can't seem to let go of and this should be the main thing we pay attention to. Billions of our Tax Dollars fund this 'anti-terrorism war' but is there really a threat? Why worry about a couple thousand harmless students like Nancy who want to better their lives and the lives of those around them.
Whether you think that people who are here illegally should return to their country of origin or not, I think it's best if we both recognize the common humanity and not demean people to the point that we are calling them "illegals." History tends to side with love, and therefore I believe acceptance of people who are escaping miserable conditions in their home countries is inevitable. Hate has a way of destroying itself. I understand the logic against my position. It goes something like, "People who are here illegally are taking our jobs, not paying taxes, and expecting us to give them all sorts of benefits." I guess it makes sense in a way. I just don't think their motives are impure. Many escaped horrible situations, many are working thankless jobs, many are receiving laughable pay, and I'm sure many are very grateful of the opportunity they have to be here, whether legal or otherwise. There are criminals, and then there are people who are here illegally. Broke the law, sure. But bad people? Probably not. We must realize this. And we will.
No Sam,let me tell you how it really is. I live in a sanctuary state so I've seen the truth. They are ILLEGAL ALIENS who broke the law to come here. The majority have NO love for this country. They honor the Mexican flag, refuse to learn or use English and turn once nice communities into crime ridden ghettos. They cause the cost of healthcare to go up by using our ERs to get treatment for a cold and don't pay for it. We taxpayers are paying for their education and healthcare, while both are too expensive for the average American. Every year American taxpayers pay about $85 Billion dollars toward illegal alien benefits. In my state alone almost $2 Billion is spent every year. I can't afford health insurance or an advanced education because I pay so much in taxes that I have nothing left. These billions of dollars shoud be spent on helping Americans who have lost their jobs, houses and hope to get back on their feet. Our borders need to be secured. Any business who hires an illegal needs to be fined heavily fined. When the work dries up for them, they will leave on their own if we cut off their benefits. All illegal aliens need to be deported (they can take their anchor babies with them). We need to stop making this country bi-lingual. No more signs or automated telephone answering in Spanish. Make English our official language. BTW, my husband is a legal immigrant who learned English before he came here, followed all our laws and does NOT wave the flag of his home country. He worked his way through college. earning 3 Masters degrees, never using any taxpayer money. This amnesty BS is a slap in the face to every immigrant who came here leaglly.
In reality, most people are just looking for a scape goat, but here is the real money count, this is the tax money we need to to get back, $85 million will seem like petty cash compared to this numbers http://money.cnn.com/news/storysupplement/economy/bailouttracker/
Katie hits the nail on the head, Sam. I'm sorry that you don't understand the gravity of the situation. Ground zero of this debate – the border states – has become critical mass. The DREAM Act is only a piece of this puzzle. But it is such a shady a piece of legislation that if everyone read the details rather than reacting emotionally, they would be appalled that some even drafted it in the first place. Lastly, I'll leave you with one thought – wanting people to follow the law is NOT hatred. Please stop confusing the two. Thank you.
This is the stuff that creates the hate. We have a border secure it. If you dont expect things to get worse libt4rds
I feel like referring to people as "libt4rds" is kind of hateful. Why not be respectful? The girl seems really nice. She was brought here by her parents. She seems to be really bright. She's not the bad person in this situation just because she wants to go to college. I bet you complain when the batteries in your remote run down. You were lucky to be born here. Why not try to extend that to a younger generation who were brought here by their parents? I just don't get you or people who think like you. Side with love. If we have some immigrants here, it will be ok. Our ancestors came here illegally and killed the people who were here. In fact, many of our current states were once territories of Mexico. So just because we took this land by force doesn't give you the right to think you deserve it more than anyone else. Geez just let the girl go to college!
American Sam......did you even read this article? As much as I appreciate your human side in this debate, I'm surprised that you keep saying, "geez, just let the girl go to college". The girl already earned a masters degree....A MASTERS DEGREE!!!! So what you're saying is that tax payer money should go to her so she can get a doctoral degree??? At one of the most expensive colleges in the country no less! We have already paid over 12 years of free education so she can function to get a masters degree and you think that is not enough? Are you serious? She has it better than most. Since she has a master’s degree in education....get a job, pay taxes, and use your earnings to pay for your own doctoral degree!!!! Don't give me any of that crap about her being illegal and not being able to get a job......the education field has many illegal’s working in it. Since she is so resourceful to get her bachelors and masters....she needs to be resourceful to get her doctoral degree....unbelievable!
There's no way the Nightmare Act, AB131, is going to go into effect anyway. A referendum is on its way to repeal it already. Visit stopAB131.com to know more.
Ah, Nightmare. I see what you did there. "Oh no! Sending poor hispanic kids to college! What a nightmare!" Get a life.
Remember when your immigrant ancestors came here? They signed there names in the books right? Remember all the hate they encountered so that you can now feel part of this land? The same hate you are slinging at these people,is exactly the same thing "Americans" did to your grandparents. I'm positive they would be ashamed of you
The great thing about this is that throughout history when racism and bigotry and persecution against the defenseless few exist, good and reason always prevails. Our independence, the civil war, the holocaust, civil rights movement and now immigration. For every one of you that throws a stone and in fear lash out at at a helpless individuals will see the day that good will prevail...it might take years as it has now, we might see more victims and more bigotry in greater examples....but enduring like our past ancestors and predecessor did.....we'll look to history to see what the outcome will be......victory for the helpless few....just like it always has been! So keep the bashing and hatred going....it part of the process....
Im sorry Danielle, you got that wrong....my ancestors didnt come from overseas like yours did...im far from a wetback! Get your geography right! Dont feel so righteous....youre just an immigrant like everyone here! Or im sorry an anchor baby from past generations....Your insults dont do anything, save your breath! Work on your shortcomings, because if youre here, its because youre going thru a difficult time....or phase.....May god forgive you for all you transgressions....
Both of my parents came into this country illegally in the 80's from El Salvador, but I was born in Southern California. I found that I should give something back to this country since my parents came here illegally. I have fought in Iraq twice, currently in Afghanistan and I am former Drill Sergeant. Even though by law I am an American citizen, I know that I have earned that right. I have assisted many Soldiers earn their citizenship while they were fighting for THIS country as well. They plan on getting out after their contract is up.
In my opinion, illegals MUST be required to complete some sort of military service to earn their citizenship especially during a time of war. Then there really isn't anything anyone can say about them not earning their place here since after all, the men and women that made this country what it is now where illegals themselves.
For all illegals out there, you should look at what controbution you can make that will benefit this country first (along w/ being legalized), then after you've earned your place in this great country take advantage higher education that will benefit you along w/ the country. You shouldn't automatically belief that all rights are yours because if you don't give something back, what good are you (that goes for all, illegal and legal alike)?
But what if they don't want to murder people? How about all Americans be required to do some sort of service, whether military or some sort of volunteer thing like Americorp, before going to college? Seems like a good thing to do.
It is not "hate" to be against granting taxpayer-funded rewards for immigration lawbreaking! Your statements are utterly intellectually dishonest and not very "American". We have rules (a/k/a the "law"). Those laws are THE MOST GENEROUS IN THE WORLD. They must be enforced. What you advocate is granting an advantage to the lawbreakers at the direct expense and harm to the lawabiders!
When every American citizen's child is sheltered, fed, clothed and educated....then we can have a thoughtful discussion of how to grant citizenship to those who legally apply.
Those who are here illegally are actually taking steps, purposely or not, to take away shelter, food, clothing and education from the citizens' children of this nation. The money that flows to illegal aliens is money that could have been used to make a brighter future for the children that are here legally. There's no valid argument that runs contrary to that statement.
Exactly.
I agree. This country is broke . Newt says anyone whose been here 25 years deserves to stay .Americans , please remember . There have been 3 amnesties in the last 25 years . Starting with Reagan . Anyone here illeagly now needs to be deported . Wish we could get that message out to Newt and all Americans . Please people , help remind others about the 3 amnisties they have already been given . Along with their children . If it's a hardship for the familes , well i'm sorry , but no one told them to come here illegaly and start popping out babies . These familes only have themselves to blame for their deportation . Yes , if it were me i too would come and with my family . But i would not come illegaly . And i would be American through and through . I would learn to speak english , pay taxes , and fly the American flag ,Proudly, not suck off the teet of America and American tax payers . And i certainly would not fly the flag of a rat hole country. My aleigence would be to my new country . NO MORE ANCHOR BABIES , no nothing for any illegals until you come through the front door , like everyone else who has been standing in line (at the front door
Shouldn't a legal US immigrant, meaning a person that came here and became a citizen, be helping other foreigners get into this country the legal way? Looks like the US and others are helping all the wrong people, as usual. Just realize, in the long run, you are just a vote.
As an American citizen and a student, I hardly get enough aid to pay for school, and my family can't afford the difference. I'm going to a simple "cheap" (compared to other schools) state university. This is a common issue. If there's not enough aid to help our own citizens to go to school, why are we going to be helping people who are here illegally to achieve the same goals? I don't see why a Mexican should be able to achieve the "American Dream" when plenty of -legal- citizens are struggling and unable . If they want help so bad then take the time and put in the effort to become legal!
I agree with you completely! There is no shortage of workers with educations. We have too many. Flooding the college graduate pool with illegal aliens will make things worse...not better. Anyone who thinks different is either brain dead or in search of the hispanic vote
If there are SO many college educated people than why do people like Bill Gates have to beg the government each year for more foreign worker visas, he can't find Highly Skilled workers – there are not enough college educated people, that is why the unemployment rate is so high. There jobs are out there, people are just too lazy to study and work hard.
Bill Gates loves to hire H1B slaves who will work for lower wages than a highly qualified American
Well, I happen to be a displaced IT worker. So, I can tell you there's TOO many IT workers unemployed for Bill Gates to use that lame LIE. He, like many company owners, want CHEAP foreign labor that they can abuse. Hire a foreign IT worker for half the pay then promise them raises, bonuses and promotion for three years...while delivering them nothing. That, unfortunately, is how it works. NO shortage of IT workers...just the opposite.
because she earned it. She was either smarter than you or worked harder than you or both. She earned the acceptance letters, she earned the scholarships. You didn't.
Illegal Immigrants are not the problem, some of your views are just so horrendous. I am here legally and so is my family, and everyone should have equal rights. YOU DO NOT OWN THIS COUNTRY. I don't care if you are legal or not, half the illegal immigrants probably have rough jobs and most likely work harder then your lazy selves. You are spoiled America in a whole is spoiled we think everything is ours. Unless you fought with George Washington, or you are a veteran you did very little for our country. Half of you complaining about illegals are you forgetting those worthless people that are on welfare taking all your money. Yeah I may only be 14, but some of you are just plain stupid and uneducated.
I agree that every citizen should get equal rights. Illegal aliens are not citizens. The broke the law to be here. Do you think shoplifters and rapists should have their criminal records wiped clean? Then have those shoplifters and rapists drive down the wages of those already in the workforce who never broke the law?
If you are 14, then you should be up in arms about this.
...because the DREAM Act may very well impact your ability to pay for college, too.
"she discovered another passion – advocating for immigrant rights" – CNN really meant to say "advocating for illegal immigrant rights". So now California is going to be giving public funds to educate someone further, who wants to advocate for illegal immigrant rights? You're going to throw public money for this student to advocate for people who broke the law?...someone pinch me, I have to be dreaming.
*Pinch* No you are not, try living in Mexico, then try to become someone in life. (:
And that means what? Your lack of clarity is confusing.
Trying growing up poor white trash in America...then becoming someone in life. It's hard all over. Doesn't excuse felony counts of illegal immigration. Why not grant amnesty to all felons? Why should illegal immigrants get a break when no one else does?
There is a finite amount of grant money available, and it shouldn't be available to illegal immigrants. (thank you Fletch)
They can study all they want on a foreign student visa, paying whatever the school charges. If they cannot afford it, they should look for a school they can afford.
SO even as educated as she has become;She is still an advocate for her law breaking counter-parts. F-this woman . For every Illegal scholar I can show 50 plus legal ones. CNN needs to stop with the liberal law breakig agenda...
well,well,well
I wish I could slap some of you people.
I'll slap a monkey.
I luv that kind of talk
I agree with you. These people here are as ignorant as a 5 year old. You can't compare illegal immigration to rape, etc. Some of them came here when they were young and had no idea of what was happening. They came here for a better life, they work hard and do the jobs you lazy people wouldn't even think about doing. They struggle day in and day out to make a living. Shouldn't the colonists be considered illegal immigrants? Didn't they come here and take land? I'm a legal citizen who was born here and I welcome people who want a better future for themselves and their children and family.
Whats hilarious about the replies is the fact that every one of you are illegal immigrants as well. This isnt your country. It belonged to someone else and you stole it from them. Now why dont you go back to your country!
I am not illegal. I was born her, my parent's were were born here and so on and so forth. And my ancestors gave their names when entering the country, they didn't hide in a freight car, sneak past armed guards or lie their way into the country. They didn't need an anchor baby as my family helped make this country. You are ridiculous. And either liberal or illegal yourself. Illegals should not have a right to money that is paid for and funded by those that belong here.
yeah, your ancestors killed bunch of indians, took over the land and gave the rest of the them casinos
I did not steal this land. I was born here. I live here legally.
Agree, CNN needs to stop crying over these illegals and to stop their biased reporting
What an asinine statement Mike!
More libtard apologists....
That's such a tired argument.
YEAH SEND THEM MEXICANS BACK TO AFRICA!
WE live in the Pacific NW not far from the coast. There is a community near here that was built to house lumber mill workers. They bought the homes and had a nice, peaceful neighborhood.
My daughter bought one of the homes. She raised my grandsons there.
Now she is being driven out by the Mexicans threatening her and her neighbors. They stand outside and yell at the whites and the People of the Frist Nation ( who were here long before white man), they throw their garbage into her yard,, they terrified her dog (an old lab) until he was afraid to go out into her well fenced back yard and much more. They tell anyone who is not a Mexican that it's now their neighborhood to get out if they know whats good for them.
And to make matters worse, it's all done at night so there is no way she can call the police for help. None of the Mexican saw or heard a thing.
And you think that it's good for illegals to be here. Just wait until they go after your children.
This makes no sense at all! Really? Are you so low as to fabricate these stories to scare people? WHY ON EARTH would MEXICANS (and of course you know that they are indeed Mexicans) go about threatening people like that? Are you saying they bought off the police too and are confident they won't get arrested? Wow, those Mexicans are really becoming something! How about you call the police (day or night) and make a compliant. How about you record what they are doing and send it the media...if its true. Or better yet, how about you stop spreading over exaggerated stories or plain out fabrications?!!?!
Sorry that you think that it's a lie. Sorry that you think that our police are so corrupt in this small area that they are bought out. I know them and you insult them!!
I only told the truth. I'm sorry that you can't believe that something like what my family is going through wouldn't happen here. It is.
I don't feel sorry for this girl. She shouldn't be blaming the American people for not wanting to foot the bill foot her college tuition when they can't even afford to send their own kids to college. She should be asking her mother "Why did you do this to me? You lied. You cheated. You stole. Now I have to pay for it."
It is not the fault of the American people that the parents of these kids broke the law, nor is it the responsibility of the American people to cover for the transgression.
This girl has no one to blame but her Mother, period.
What this illegal wants to fight for is to make this country, which is not her country, into what she wants. Just as all of them do. They want our laws changed to suit them.
She and others like her don't feel one bit of guilt that they have taken from this country.
They disgust me and I'll vote for any body who will send them all back to what ever country they came from.
Whats funny is that this isnt your country either. All Americans are here illegally. You to sir are a immigrant.
Actually Mike you are incorrect. You can't be illegal in a country that didn't have an established government or laws to begin with so save that ridiculous argument for some other ignoramous. As for stealing the land...during that time people were still fighting wars for land and the strong survived; was it right?...that's for another debate. We American's made this great country what it is!
If it was so great, then why does this country have so many problems. We have 50 million people without health insurance. We have people who are so lazy that live off of welfare. There aren't enough jobs, etc. No country is perfect.
It's hard for me to get past the situation of receiving a lot of education for career opportunities though still unable to legally hold a job.
The NUMBER ONE issue to tackle which incidentally will solve five major national financial problems at once is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. The best way to CREATE JOBS is to deport all illegal immigrants NOW. First that will create thousands and thousands of seriously needed immigration and border patrol agent jobs right off the bat. Second, as the illegal immigrants are removed and deported the jobs they leave will be available for TRUE AMERICANS. Third, by having TRUE AMERICANS employed then the TAXES WILL BE PAID to the government (instead of the employers of illegal immigrants keeping that money to avoid being detected for employing illegal immigrants). Fourth, by deporting illegal immigrants we SAVE OVER A TRILLION DOLLARS A YEAR as a nation since hard working TRUE AMERICANS currently pay taxes to support THE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE BEING USED BY THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO WILL NO LONGER BE HERE. (NOT COINCIDENTALLY THIS IS ALMOST EXACTLY EQUAL TO OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL BUDGET DEFICIET) Fifth, we won't be spending real taxpayer dollars on health (including anchor babies) education and welfare on multiple fraudulent/fake identifications for each of these individuals. And finally, as a BIG BONUS it will prove to America and the rest of the world that we are serious about getting our country back on our feet which is the biggest inducement (GLOBAL CONSUMER CONFIDENCE) that will be immediately affected. America and the world need to witness this confidence. Finally, we will show everyone we are serious about protecting our country and our borders from terrorists.
Not always the case. Look at Alabama. A lot of illegal immigrants have left the state and there still arent any jobs available. Its actually causing companies to leave the state, which in turn is taking away jobs.
Which is probably a good thing; illegals leaving the state + companies leaving the state = (to me) the companies leaving the state were probably hiring the illegals at low wages and didn't want to hire anyone at a normal wage. I say good. I hope the companies that hire them go bankrupt and never do business again.
Just to point out, illegal immigrants don't have access to welfare since they don't have a social security number. Tell me what true american that you speak of will mow lawns, work on farms, clean public bathrooms. Shows your ignorance.
If you don't think illegals are getting welfare Junior, you are DREAMing. Come back when you grow up.
Nancy, if you're going to be upset at somebody, it should be your mom. She brought you here illegally and didn't even tell you until it was too late.
Jerry Brown, giving away citizens money when there are thousands of poor citizens who'd love to go to college. What a rube...
I am so tired of these stories. Come to this country the right way or get out. Maybe I should send a couple of my kids to Mexico and have them apply for college grants.....Let me stop laughing!!!!!!! My son is a US Marine and may depoyed to defend our country and he may die doing it. Then I have to read these articles. Makes me sick.
Illegal aliens who want to go to college here can return to their home countries before age 18 1/2 and apply for foreign student visas. Someone who is bright enough to get into Harvard (which subsidizes the students it does admit) should surely be bright enough to figure that out.
Most of you commenting here, simply don't know how scholarships work, do you? NOWHERE in the article is there mention that she is getting tax-funded aid. If only most of you put the same energy into understanding the complexities of the issues at hand, this whole immigration debate would be solved. While you are all wanting to close the door on intelligent, hard working individuals, there is a HUGE number of convicts who are truly using TAX PAYER money to receive healthcare, and food and clothes. Am I saying these folks are getting designer jeans no, but these guys while their freedom is deny they have more benefits than the student portrayed here. Wonder how she took care of healthcare while going to school? Everyone needs to take a step back and THINK about this before posting.
Nancy keep going as far as your intellect will allow you to, you're doing an awesome job. If the U.S. doesn't want you here to offer you a chance at a job, then take your talent and dedication to a place where you will be appreciated. This country is leaking talent like it is no one's business the comments in this blog, are proof of what we are being left with.
This isn't about scholarships, which are merit based and usually funded privately if I'm not mistaken. This is about GRANTS, which are need based and do not require repayment. There is a finite amount of grant money available, and it shouldn't be available to illegal immigrants.
First of all, you might want to get he correct use of "your" and "you're" down (nevermind "than" and "then") before calling anyone's comment ignorant. Nobody is discussing a merit based scholarship – this isn't even really about this one student. It's about the DREAM Act, which would give illegal immigrants access to tax payer funded grants. With only a certain amount of those funds available, they should go to legal residents. Do you even understand the issue? Or are you just some ranting lunatic?
and you Patti, I am guessing, have never been in a public classroom in this country where MUCH of our resources- TAX PAYERS MONEY, is spent on ESL classes, remedial classes, discipline issues, health care, supplies, food, etc. for people that are here illegally. Maybe it is you who should spend some time in the real world. Are you college educated? If so, who paid for yours? Be honest...
Oh give me a BREAK. We HAVE to house convicts, it's the LAW. You know, the element that's being BROKEN by these "aspiring" kids who take scholarships of which there is a LIMITED NUMBER? Wait till she takes the one YOUR kid, who is an AMERICAN, should have had.
BLAH! BLAH! And BLAH! who needs them...why don't they demand their own government to provide for them and help their own people and country....I am so sick of them wanting everything their way!!!! this isn't American anymore there changing this country into another MEXICO and we the Americans are paying for it!!!!
I am very sorry that the yound lady in the story had a law breaking mother but I have been an American Citizen my whiole life. I am currently paying $5200/semester for my daughter to go to college for which I am working a second job. I would have gotten assistance if Governor O'Malley had not pulled the same crap giving instate tuition and assistance to illegals. That took it away from my deserving daughter and many other deserving AMERICAN BORN citizens. I cannot afford to continue paying what I am paying so unless she gets some assistance she will be going to a community college which does not offer a combined special ed/elementary ed major. She has worked hard and deserves to come before people who are not here legally and you are rewarding them for breaking the law at my daughter's and thousands of other 18-21 year olds expense. I am a christian person but you cannot come here legally and expect people to welcome you with open arms. These young people are stealing benefits from our own American children. SO anybody who is for the Dream Act obviously is only after the votes of people who if they make legal citizens will possibly vote for them. Let's remember that OUR American born and raised students deserve fist "dibs" and anyone who is not a legal citizen should have to go thru the entire process of becoming a citizen before they get any benefits. I am quite sure that if my daughter and I went to Mexico without papers and I tried to get my daughter into college for free there, they would lock us both up. Americans should be our elected officials FIRST PRIORITY!
I totally agree...and your daughter wants to be an educator? I have been one for 14 years, and I am still paying back my loans for a bachelors and masters that I pay for all on my own. I searched high and low for ANY money for my masters. I found one $500 grant-if I was to write a five page essay about what it was like to live with a crack addicted mother. No, my mother is not a crack addict. I could not find a dime, so I may be leaving the profession for some oddly higher paying job like a casino pit boss.
I am white, male, and was born in Illinois. I can not get a dime for any of my education. My dad died when I was 14-not a dime. The fact that any one would propose such an idea as this dream act joke makes me utterly disgusted and on the brink of vomitting.
And yes, if you cross into Mexico and get caught....my buddy did by accident on an ATV with his ten year old son. Six months in prison and his parents paid about $100,000 they let him go home. What a crock....
Yes 123abc- Your governor sold the citizens of Maryland out in favor of the lawbreakers. The good news is that the good citizens of Maryland stopped the "Maryland Dream [a/k/a nightmare] Act" from going into effect when they signed DOUBLE the number of pettiions to stop this nightmare legislation. Instead, the issue will be on the ballot in the November 2012 General Election in Maryland. At that time, the citizens of Maryland can vote to stop the insanity, side with the citizens of Maryland and against the lawbreakers and their advocates (like Casa de Maryland- and organization whose purpose is to subvert American immigration laws).
Americans across the political spectrum (including this life-long Democrat) are DEMANDING enforcement of our immigration laws–laws that are the most generous in the world). We reject rewards for lawbreakers. The Democratic party, which has decided to sell out the American worker in favor of the lawbreakers will LOSE BIG IN 2012!
A government which refuses to enforce its own laws is INTOLERABLE!
I am a believer in God, I do understand the complexity of Nancy's situation but I still feel that people need to take a step back and understand that she was sneaked into this country as a baby. Knowing the fact that she worked herself through college (undergraduate degree) signifies that perhaps she simply does not have enough money for an immigration lawyer to handle her case. I feel sorry for her and I hope this situation takes a turn for the better.
Nancy I wish you all that you have worked so hard for.
For all of you stuck on "illegal" vs "legal", put yourself in her shoes for one moment...to find out you weren't born in the US until you're 16 after all the hard work done in school...you would be asked for help too. She's been accepted to Harvard! Obviously she is a smart, hard-working young lady, why wouldn't we want her to get an education here and use her talents to make our country a better place??
Here we go again.. What about the people that want to enter the country legally and have to wait years to come in?
The Dream Act is an illegal alien " butt in the legal immigrant line" proposal. Gov Brown is a clown.
The solution is simple. Give Nancy instate tuition. It wasn't her fault. But in exchange for that in-state tuition her mother should be arrested and made to work until the cost of her daughters education is paid off. Then she should be deported and barred from ever entering this country again. If we dont punish the children of lawbreakers, and I dont think we should then the lawbreakers need to be given the harshest punishments not only for breaking multiple laws but also for forcing their children to become law breakers. If Nancy has a problem with this arrangement then she is welcome to go away.
Oh whaaaaaaa! Give me a break! I don't feel sorry for them at all! Why we America want to spend money on illegals... Why can't there goverment help and educate their own people!!!??? Why don't they demand their President to do something for them and build a better future!??? They can do it...its not impossible, they do sell items to countrys etc... I am so sick of what they want and American can't even help thiir own people...its really sad that we Americans are paying the price for all illegals...its discussting! We have no pride in our own country.
This article makes me sick. Her mom's a nanny so you can guess how she put in the tax base for her daughter's k-12 education that the taxpayers got stuck with. Now Nancy wants more handouts. CNN why don't you do a story on the citizens who didn't get scholarships because the illegals got it from hispandering politicians.
..cnn wont do that...they dont want the truth exposed...and they dont want people seeing dem's for what they really are.
Gee Jack, I am a tax payer who owns property and has no children. I am paying for Legal citizens kids to go to school including yours if you have any. maybe we should charge the parents for every kid they want educated.
We are paying for our kids to go to school........it's called "Property Tax".
Bob – if I'm not mistaken your parents had kids. And *you* got an education. Fail.
Your not getting the whole story from this article i can assure you.
Oh yes, I remember all the immigrants that came through Ellis Island had a DREAM ACT to give them free handouts. Oh, I forgot, their dream act was called hard work and no government cuddling. Well, I guess those immigrants who came legally to the United States were all racist.
TIME TO PUT U.S. TROOPS ON THE BORDER AND SHUT DOWN LEGAL IMMIGRATION...TOO MANY PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED AND NO JOBS. DO AMERICA NEED MORE LATINO'S ?? HELL NO. NO MAS. DON'T CALL ME A RACISTS, AM LATINO. I'M NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ....TOO MANY PEOPLE AND NO JOBS, DO WE NEED MORE PEOPLE ? DUH.
If this article had no bias and showed both sides CNN would determine how many U.S. Citizen and legal resident aliens were denied access to $ for school in CA or not permitted to enroll because the $ and or space was taken by someone illegaly in the country. And it's not about race. How many of those citizens or legal residents would be Latino or even Asian? That's the side of the story that is ignored.
There's a reason why immigration and abortion are hot topics, they will NEVER be touched
So, Rob. In three out of your first four replies to people, you make fun of someone's spelling, you take a shot at the military, and you blast American kids for "partying". Do you have anything constructive to add to the discussion? Or would you just prefer to show the world your anti-American colors?
how nice,,,, another CNN tearjerker. illegal is illegal! bottom line.. maybe the mother should have taken more responsiblityl for her daughter and not put her in this position...dress it up as much as you want!!! but she's still illegal get over it. CNN should print the disaster effects of other illegals, which are more common. I think I was tearing up reading it.
How about a dream act for taxpayers that says we don't have to provide any benefits including k-12 education for illegals and the money we save goes toward our families.
JACK YOU FORGOT FREE HOSPITAL CARE . WHEN ILLEGALS HAVE BABIES–GET SICK-INJURED ON THE JOB THEY GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR FREE , FREE EDUCATION–WELFARE–UNEMPLOYMENT...AS A U.S. CITIZEN I'M SICK AND TIRED OF PAYING FOR THEM.. I HAVE MY OWN FAMILY TO TAKE CARE...
How about those tax payers who don't have children dont pay for somebody elses kid to go to K-12 legal or otherwise.
We could charge the parents of the kids that want an education
Bob – the tax that people pay for education is for their *own* education that they had many years ago. Not their children's. If they have a dozen children that are educated by tax money, when those kids grow up and have jobs, there will be twelve of them paying taxes.
Just another pro hispanic artical by CNN, notice how the never have articals for eoro-americans( just everyday white folks).
CNN IS AFRAID TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT ILLEGALS...THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE HISPANIC VIEWERS . SAME WITH DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS, THEY ARE KISSING THE HISPANICS BUTTS TO GET THEIR VOTES, WHY CARE ABOUT BORDER SECURITY.
It is not just viewers. CNN is a global network, if they start allowing the truth to be published on their network they wioll lose the right to broadcast in those mexickan latina countries which they need to have access to to be calling themselves a global news network. They would lose almost half of the world. Put an import tariff on all goods from those countries that these illegal immigrants originate from. Mexico-Corona beer, fruits and vegetables, cars, trucks anything we import to America from Mexico and Central and South America – put a tax on it such that the total funds will be enough to capture, house, maintain and return the illlegals, and pay to protect our borders from their people. Increase the price of visas from those countries too. If they want to get here make them pay for it. Then we can use the money to pay for sending them back.
Well its obvious you didn't waste any tax dollars going to school as you cant even spell article
Yea that's telling him. You put him in his place, bad speller!
So Bob, I agree in one point, what is a eoro-american? But, uh, Bob? Ever hear of punctuation? Did you go to school?
Careful dagger thrower....
The difference between Nancy and myself is I know exactly when my ancestors came into this country because they did it LEGALLY!!!! Nancy's mother could have applied for citizenship and when Nancy turned 18 she would have automatically became an US citizen. Did I miss in the article where Nancy has made an effort or inquiry on the procedure for her to become a legal US citizen?
Yes, you did miss it. They clearly stated that her mother reapplied for citizenship. Did you know it takes around 15 years to get your citizenship legally? Get real man, the system is messed up. Otherwise people would not opt for breaking the law.
15 years, Rob? Okay, can you cite your sources, please? Also, the system "being broken" is not an excuse for breaking the law. For instance, I think that marijuana laws are outdated, but I wouldn't buy marijuana unless it was legal. You can't just decide what rules are okay and which you can flaunt.
Are we supposed to allow everybody who wants to live here enter?We already allow one million people in a year....through the visa lottery.Isn't that enough?
Yeah and so do I! They were the first citizens of the U.S. before it was the U.S.!!!
pocho. at least we know your masters degrees were not in english.
pocho1. at least we know your master degrees were not in english.
Give me a break! I'd like the rest of the US American Citizens to know our rights are being trampled on, must we also pay for illegals to go to college now? People are ignorant if we let this go on,I see it
rippingoffAmericancitizens.com, become a citizen first then you can be alotted the freedom that is the USA. This is why the US is going broke...
The U.S.A. is going broke because we spend trillions of dollars that we don't have on the military.
AMERICA IS GOING BROKE BECAUSE WE OUTSOURCE OUR JOBS--$$ BILLION SPEND ON TAKING CARE OF THE ILLEGALS--HUGE MILITARY SPENDING...BUT OUTSOURCING IS HURTING AMERICA BIG TIME.. TOO MANY PEOPLE AND NO JOBS.
At least the military is protecting our country.What are the illegals doing to help us ?
BEAN, DO YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY THAT THAT DO WHAT WE DO FOR ILLEGALS ?? DO YOU THINK MEXICO WILL DO FOR AMERICANS WHAT WE DO FOR MEXICANS IF AMERICANS CROSS THEIR BORDER ?
So California has decided to pay for this person's education and she is going to get a doctorate. However, since she is here illegally – she is still not allowed to work in this country (at least not legally). So her degree cannot be used here – great use of tax payer dollars California! In the meantime, someone that never should have been in this country takes up space that could have been given to American citizens in university classes.
So if I understand this correctly states can't pass laws preventing ILLEGALS from coming in but can pass laws to give ILLEGALS money. Me thinks that you libtard dems have forgotten what ILLEGAL means. This bill is just another step down for the US. Base problem is you cant get a white guy to do the jobs the ILLEGALS do for the same pay. Thats the truely sad part.
You must have forgotten what your true consevitive presidents have done in the past. Like Reagan legallizing a few million, Bush wanting another blanket like Reagan. This should not be about party rather the law, this comming from alot of Dems as well. We all want to know who is in our country and if they aren't supposed to be here then kick their butts out no matter the country of origin.
Ha ha. No wonder your country is so screwed up. Your system rewards the illegal immigrant. Why is this?. Cause your greedy upper class is to cheap to hire an American properly. Now you have a girl, smart obvioulsy, not her fault that she was born. Bad joke on her life. Educate her so she can fight for the next batch that wont come in the front door proper.What a mixed up place.
Chris, you are absolutely correct in everything that you said. I couldn't agree with you more. Unfortunately, the idiot politicians we have running this country (into the ground) see things in a different jaded light. Maybe I should move to wherever you are. This situation in this country with illegal parasites is just becoming way too much at a time when
the American people are financially hurting.
Thank you, Thelma Gutierrez for highlighting academic achievement of a student who is doing a lot and inspiring others to continue with their education. I appreciate all comments from people who do not have a critical lens to see perspectives. It is a reminder that popular dominant deficit discourse will forever perpetuate the stereotype of Latinos. It is why critical discussions are a important and must take place. As a public intellectual, I don't distance myself from the close minded perspectives of some of the comments that have been made. I don't need to throw in my lived experiences into this perspective, but as a proud American we must not forget that "this land was made for and you and me." We all want opportunities and we must seek for them.
Adelante, Nancy. You have something that many people don't have in this forum: ganas. Strength. Courage to pursue one's DREAMs.
I stand next to you in this struggle!
Be well.
s. leglly with a student visaI can appreciate this young ladies commitment to education and improving her life, however : that doesn't give her a pass on doing things legally. Yes, she was brought to this country and she did not initially commit the crime, but she did nothing to corrrect her situation. She could'e returned to her country and entered the U.S. legally through a student visa. But she decided that she didnt want to pay international student fees andget a student loan lake everyone else that cant afford to go to college. Stop giving these people a pass, saying that they just want a better life. Thousands of Americans want a better life thru education and pay for it out of their own pocket or find a legally way to come up with the money. The scholarship she received should have gone to someone did not break the law and continue to break the law by not leaving the country. This girl is smart she could have returned to her native country and found work in the tourism industry since she speaks reads and writes both languages fluently, applied for a student visa and worked and saved her money to go to college. I for one am sick of the woow- is- me syndrome, whining illegal aliens, stop it and get in line like everybody else.
Whatever happened to Nancy, well she punked the system and defrauded us all.
Why didn't she get deported? Why can't the Federal Government just do their job and enforce the immigration law? Deport all illegal aliens, secure the border, and fine anyone who hires an illegal alien. I don't want to pay taxes to subsidize the education of someone who want to advocate for illegal aliens.
and Odin999 I dont want my property taxes putting your kids through school either. Since I dont have kids I think parents who want an education should pay extra for each kid
First of all, congrats to Nancy for keeping her dream alive. It's sad that the only home she knows is filled with many who resent her presence here. Keep hating all you want, does it make you happy? I doubt it, if you don't appreciate what Nancy represents and has achieved despite much barriers.... Well then you show lack of comprehension, not just lack of compassion. The Dream Act will pass, it's a shame it hasn't already, but justice will prevail for Dream Act hopefuls. The DA is a win/win for our country, the sooner you see it, the be better.
It's not that her presence is resented other than the fact her parents broke the law but my thought is why doesn't she apply for and take the test to become a legal citizen? Nobody coddled my grandfather when he came to this country and he was proud of the fact he took the test and passed and recieved his citizenship paper. It was framed and on his wall until he died. He didn't expect everyone to speak his language and got what he had through hard work. That is what I resent, the fact that the illegals are allowed to break the law and recieve handouts and do nothing to instill pride in this country because they don't want to assimilate as the early legal immigrants did.
Forest Gumby – By her knowingly being in this country illegally means she is knowingly breaking the law, how is that an exemplory American?
How about we start by having all these people fill out the forms and pay the fees to become citizens. It is hard to accept they have the right to comment on a system when they haven't even taken the first step on trying to get through the system. Show me where this woman filled out a form and paid a fee for citizenship and then I will change opinion that they are just trying to get a free ride.
Congrats to this lady for keeping her dream alive. Now that tax dollars paid for her "dream", her education will be useless, as she STILL isn't a legal resident.
So, my dream is to get my master's degree...can ya'll pay for that please? Oh wait- being lawful doesn't seem to pay.
We just need to continue to give them the incentive to leave. More drug busts, more employer busts, more deportations. And announce that they will all have 6 months to leave the country at which time they will be arrested and DNA profiled and put on work camps near the border in the desert areas of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona for two years then they can walk home to mexico. Also after the 6 month grace period we need to place a bounty on them. $10 a piece; $20 for any employer who hires them and any landlord who houses them. Those landlords and employers will be fined $1,000 per day for each illegal they house or employ.
Before I write what I'm going to write, I will make sure my spellchecker is ON. I will also make sure to CAPITALIZE certain words that will, in my mind, serve to get my message across.
ILLEGALS are not just human beings making the effort to better their lives. They're also SICK BIRDS. NOBODY seems to care about the ILL EAGLES. We can put UP electric fences, dig out moats and place crocodiles in 'em, put drones to work to patrol the borders, but when are we REALLY going to address the REAL problem? ILL EAGLES cannot take care of themselves! SOMEBODY has to step up to the plate and do SOMETHING about it.
This human crisis happening across our borders... this drug war that our government funds with our tax money... those countless bodies of women who end up half-buried in the desert, all of those rape trees decorated with torn panties from women who paid their fare into our first-world nation with their innocence, the thousands of children who end up in our already-overburdened foster care system because we tear their parents apart so that private corporations can profit off their misery... ALL of this human tragedy does NOT compare to all the ILL EAGLES we have in our midst. And frankly, I'm sick and tired of OBAMA not giving a damn about all of these ILL EAGLES!! The EAGLE is our symbol of national pride (though I agree with our founding fathers... it should've been a turkey or a deep-fried jelly doughnut). ILL EAGLES, ILL EAGLES, ILL EAGLES!! I'll keep screaming ILL EAGLES until someone throws a pie in my face so that I can literally look as ridiculous as I sound.
Please don't call me a racist simply because my comment is ignorant, void of any facts and research, and because I'm angry that all the Latino kids ended up in the ESL classrooms during the early years of my education, when I clearly needed the extra attention of our underpaid educators to help me out. If the beautiful woman in this video wants to be a teacher, so be it. Lord knows we don't respect teachers in this country anyway.
ILL EAGLES!! Never forget 9-11!! AMERICA!!! 9-11!! ILL EAGLES!! YEAHHHHH!!! WHITE FLOUR!! TERROR BABIES!! FEAR FEAR FEAR!! HATE HATE HATE!!!
God bless us all.
That was AWEsomely said Saul!
I hope you were also being sarcastic about Obama being at fault. That guy can't seem to catch a break anywhere. It's a Congressional effort that can make things happen or turn anything remotely hinted with progress into sh!t, yes I speak of the obstructionist GOP who have nothing but sabotaged the POTUS and the 99% along the way... The sooner the 99% realize who is the true oppressive force, the better. Wake up America!
The republicans as obstructionists, how about the fact that even with a congress controled by the dems they couldn't present much less pass a budget? It cracks me up how people want to blame Bush yet you never hear the fact that unemployment and the economy started going down the tubes in 2007, why is that? Bush was not the brightest bulb in the box but Barry is making him look alot better, which is something I didn't think was possible. Do a search for unemployment rates in 2006 and 2007, pretty sad, personally I feel it was ALL of the politicians fault. Term limits and get rid of the lobbyists.
OMG!!! THIS WAS AWESOME!!!! (could I have stressed it anymore?). Good stuff Saul Goode.
okay, thats all well and good. she got an education she got ahead in life. but the article is not about her education its about her immigration status. did she ever apply for any kind of legal residency or US citizenship? dont tell me that she flew under the radar all this time and gota way with it!!!! im pretty sure that if she hasn't and if she ever gets caught by customs or border patrol her @$$ is getting deported. whether she has adoctorate or not.
And we wonder why California is so broke! Too bad they don't pay more attention to the citizens of the country than those that are here illegally.
Dude. I totally agree with you. This is our country!! EVERYTHING should be about us.
If the story isn't about us, we should always go the extra mile to make sure we can turn it into something about US.
ME ME ME. US US US. AMERICA!! YEAHH!!
Millions of peaches... peaches for ME!
Peaches come in a can, they were put there by a man, awesome.
Illegal is ILLEGAL! There is no way around it. This student was told of her status and it seems she FAILED to begin the process of becoming a legal citizen, probably because she would have to turn her mother in to the INS. If you want your education that badly and you KNOW you are not in the U.S. LEGALLY, do what you need to do to become a legal citizen or gather your family up and GO HOME WITH THEM!
Do you know how difficult it is to become a US citizen? If she had the ability to apply for lawful status in this country, don't you think she would have? People are so ignorant of immigration law. She has no means of relief, that's what this entire DREAM Act is about. She isn't responsible for her mother bringing her here, does she really deserve to be deported to a place she doesn't remember or know?
I immigrated here from Canada a few years ago. Let me tell you what I was told by my attorney.
It is EASIER to immigrate to the US from Mexico than it is from Canada. I was almost not permitted my green card, because they couldn't see any reason why I can't just live in Canada, which is better off than the US currently. The person doing my interview said if I hadn't had my attorney, she likely wouldn't have allowed me in, even though I have no criminal record, no communicable diseases, and not a detriment to society.
Mexican nationals have a better chance than me to immigrate legally, so why don't they? Isn't waiting for the papers to go through better than waiting every day to see if ICE shows up at your door to ruin your life?
Yes, there are papers to fill out, and fees to pay, and it is easier to do if you hire an attorney so you don't have to muddle through the legal terms.
If I can do it, so can they.
All this talk about hatred and racism, but really it is the people that disrespect our country, our people, and our rules that exercise hatred.
Nancy, we want you in this country. We know you will contribute to this country in many ways when the Federal Dream Act passes.
Only if she is here legally.
speaking of laws, whats legal and whats not, you know at one point in America owning a slave was perfectly legal?
Aslsan83, in some parts of the world, people still own slaves. The fact is not the point though. How many legal Americans, born and raised in the USA americans can't afford to go to college because they cannot qualify for loans and grants like this young lady? Is it right that California takes care of illegals before it takes care of the llegal citizens?
The most upsetting part about this girl's story is the hatred I see displayed in most of these comments about her situation. Please remember that she was a senior in high school before she learned of her status; she was getting ready to attend college and is to be admired for working so hard and accomplishing so much in her life. Thank you, Alan, for your comment of support of her. I wonder sometimes what is happening to my country and I fear for how much meaner people may get before they wake up and turn this thing around.
Wanting people to follow the rules and respect our country isn't hatred.
Strange you see hatred and I see anger. Anger that is brought on by the fact that people are tired of all of the coddling to the illegals. How much money could be saved if we didn't print things in 2 languages? How much money did the report out of L.A. say they spent on illegals education and medical? The only thing I hate in all of this is the open disregard for our laws. Yes the process may seem difficult but most of the legal citizens here went through that process. That is the anger which you see as hate.
This DREAM ACT will not pass......too many Americans against it.........but you can "Dream" on.
Hey, The liberals keep saying these illegal bums pay taxes...... I hope she filed the correct IRS form cuz she is working for cash. Not paying income tax is a federal offense.(also called breaking the law........AGAIN)
No one has a choice in where they are born. Immigrants recognize the opportunity that exist in this country that many "native" born folk take for granted. The U.S. will take a great step forward in being the country it espouses itself to be, when students like Nancy have the opportunity to fulfill their greatest potential.
Illegal immigrants recognize the opportunities this country has to offer and always take advantage of those opportunities? You're acting like non-citizens are great American "citizens," when in fact if they're illegal, they're actually just criminals. How can a criminal be a good citizen?
Yeah, and how many thousands of illegals are standing in line behind her to get the same "Free" opportunities?
Thank you Nancy, for not giving up and continuing your journey to becoming a productive member of our society!
I don't understand why people do not consider the socio-historical context of forced migration to our country when they make such racist and inhumane comments. People don't wake up one day and think; "Hey, I'm going to immigrate to the U.S." Its a consequence of a long history of violent land acquisition, labor recruitment, inflation caused by Western countries, "democracies" established by the U.S., asymmetrical relationship between these neighboring countries,etc. etc. Whether people choose to ignore this reality or are unaware of it is difficult to know. What seems clear though is that more people, U.S. citizens or not, need access to education so that we overcome this need to blame and oppressed group for our problems. It is ridiculous that such terrible comments are made about someone who is incredibly intelligent and eager to contribute to our society, despite all the hate that she confronts.
I don't hate her, I just hate that we are such idiots that we don't consider taking care of our own children instead of illegals
Nicely put
So, you are saying the U.S.A. needs to educate all of them "Free" of charge?
Agree, EducationAdvocate!
Do you mean these illegals will qualify for Pell Grant that is paid by the tax payers???? That not fair that should go to American citizens. Their parents are to be blame for this or better yet Calderon . Wow cant believe this.
what the F !!!!!!!!! free school to aliens what !!!!!! well i guess thats the american way go latinos get some school i will pay it for you and not be able to put my own kids in college. oh well i will just think of all of you people as my own children, that will help me sleep at night. wrong. thanks for nothing america.
Very inspiring!! Thank you for showing that it is still possible to continue living life despite the many obstacle that are placed before us! Keep up the amazing work!
Practice Pratice Pratice
Lupe Moreno will be my nightmare....for several nights.
Once again, it needs to be stated. What part of the word ILLEGAL does Jerry Brown & the rest of that hopeless state not understand? As inspring as this may seem, it is unfortunate – but that's life. Her parents made a conscious choice to break the law when they enterd into this country illegally. Tough crap – tax dollars for US citizens & LEGAL immigrants only – no exceptions. In a nutshell, round 'em up & send 'em back – enough is enough.
I am glad my grandfather was shot twice in the Korean war for this while I worked my ace off through college and now throw tax money towards this. Awesome.
Passing this law definetly WILL NOT solve the problem.... This is a country OF LAW, and nobody is above the law. Reawarding to somebody who broke the law IS NOT A SOLUTION
I have a 3.9 GPA, I have served in the Army and I could only DREAM of going to Harvard... I drive past that school almost every week. Can I afford it? No. Why is nobody feeling sorry for me? Oh, that's right... I was born in the US and I am a taxpayer...and I have a Swedish last name. OOPS.
The favorite argument of some of you here is: "but she's been in this country her whole life! She cannot go back to where she was born!
I say you are all full of it! What do you think LEGAL immigrants do? They move from their HOME country, the only country they have pretty much known their whole lives...to this country. They bring their children, from all ages to American..and they ADAPT. People can adapt.
how exactly will she adapt? the US and Mexico are completely different. did peter from family guy move to mexico because of his immigration problem? however, applying for citizenship would solve her problems though.
I had a Hispanic illegal friend who graduated with honors in English. She couldn't find a job here because of her legal status and landed a high paying job at an American company in Mexico.
I have a suggestion that the US ivy league schools (Yale, Harvard, Columbia,...) continue to give her grant/scholarship to finish her PhD in Education and then she comes back to Mexico to become Mexico president and rebuild her poor country with an EFFECITVE immigration law that will prevent any illegal crossings to the US.... That's way she is an HERO of her country instead of being illegal in the US without working permits for the rest of her life....
As an example for me, I was from Vietnam and when the Communist country took over and established a brutal government, many people crossed to the sea, land,... to flee the country and thousands have been shot death by the soldiers because they "illegally" went to other countries without the government's permits.... I was one of them, but luckily I lived... Then, I had to wait for a relative to sponsor me to come to the US for 10 years and I got educated with a master degree in engineering....obeying laws in the US....
Now, go back to ILLEGALS, you should be considered HOW EXTREMELY LUCKY you are now in the US for a long period of times with ALL freebies and it is time you should go to the Legal path to become US citizen Legally. Hope this helps to enlighten your lifes....Thanks.
I see a lot of judgement on this thread and not a lot of people trying to put themselves in her shoes. Try to imagine, if you can, living in the U.S. from as early as you can remember, and not finding out until you tried to apply for scholarships to college that you aren't technically a legal citizen. (I know I wasn't given my birth certificate until I moved out of my parents' house, but I always assumed they had one somewhere, and I'm sure she assumed the same.)
If you found that out, would you just up and move to your country of birth? Even if you didn't know anyone there and possibly didn't speak the language? Some of you might lie and say yes, but let's face it, you wouldn't. She didn't knowingly make the decision to come her illegally, it was made for her, so I really don't think it's right to hold that decision against her.
I am sorry her mother made this decision for her. Why do we, the taxpayers, have to pay for her mother's decisions. We have to live with consequences of other's actions. When my daughter acts up, I have to answer for her actions as she is a minor. It's not judgement, so much as being fed up with people fleeing into our country for handouts and lying. We are having people here illegally teaching their children to take and lie. and like one person said, how will she get a job after we, the taxpayers, finance her education?
Exactly – right on the mark...my sentiments exactly....
You do realize that "Illegal" immigrants pay taxes right? I mean seriously...I understand everyone's anger over this topic but please educate yourself first before speaking or go on rants....people you are right....life is not fair....but if this young lady has the brains...why such negativity...if she is going to teach the next generation and inspire the rest of "American" youth to make the country better why such hate? With her education she wants to give back....not take away...no one sees that....she's not just getting an education and fleeing to Mexico and or Central America....she plans to stay here to educate the youth...to make a influence on the "American" Society....but instead everyone wants to yell "go home you don't belong here". I just don't get it.....what is wrong with the world today; that its become so egocentric? Has anyone thought , maybe if these people are given legal status they too will end up paying taxes....they too will give back to America....no one thinks about that....everything thinks about themselves and how they pay too much give too much....well obviously we as a society haven't given anything....have we? I pay 1g a month from my monthly salary....what it goes to....I can only hope to better this society and if my tax money is going to this young lady I am proud to say that I am an American.....that that money is going towards the perfect cause....towards bettering America....
Stop and think for a moment – her mother crossed the border without any legal right to do so. She also brought her young daughter with her, a daughter that now knows no other life. It is an unfortunate situation for that daughter, but the fact remains that she is not a citizen, she does not have any permanent residency visas in order to remain, she is in fact illegal. There are enough legal US citizens that go hungry each day, that cannot afford housing or education or anything to better their future or the futures of their children. Yet, tax money is thrown at the illegals. The time has come for people to say enough. And, by the way, I know exactly what it is like to be an immgrant – I was born in the US but emmigrated to Australia. The only difference is that I did so legally, went through the process and obtained dual citizenship legally.
You're right. I'm JUDGING her by using my powers of REASON. And do you know what my JUDGEMENT is?: GUILTY OF BREAKING THE LAW.
I see a lot of judgement on this thread and not a lot of people trying to put themselves in her shoes. Try to imagine, if you can, living in the U.S. from as early as you can remember, and not finding out until you tried to apply for scholarships to college that you aren't technically a legal citizen.
Aww! Let's all sob together.
By the way, "you aren't technically a legal citizen" is just another, wordier, way of saying "illegal alien."
This is a great way to motivate other immigrants to go through proper channels!
I still dont think kids should be punished for what there parents did. If you do that then by that reasion if a parent gets a speeding ticket then the child should get one too because of association.
So you agree that are Mom should be booted out and fined heavily? Or once the kid gets American citizenship, she sponsors her mom. And then the mother is rewarded too. That is the problem with the Dream Act. It is just a backdoor amnesty. And what about the ones who don't go to school you going to deport them, no.
What a country! No where else on the globe can one enter illegally and demand to be admitted to its elite universities because they are under represented and then demand that the taxpayers foot the bill. Only in America!
As I remember my late teens and early 20's, I remember the discussions among my peers in high school as to who could afford to go to college and who could not. I also remember discussions that these students were excluded from financial aid because their parent/parents made too much money for any kind of financial help. Mind you, I didn't grow up in a middle class area. I grew up in rural America. Many classmates didn't go to college because their parents couldn't afford to pay for it and they couldn't get scholarships....not because they weren't smart, but because they didn't qualify....they weren't poor enough...even with a single parent.
There are thousands upon thousands of Americans who need the financial help to go to college. I'm not sure why readers are being flooded with sad stories about children who can't go to college. It happens every year. It's been happening for decades. Why should we feel sorry for one when they're thousands who don't even get the chance?
This young lady paid her way through undergraduate school.....Bravo.....but am I supposed to feel bad because she can't afford Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, and Columbia?????? All legal/illegal stuff aside…….Hey sweetheart...welcome to the club.
The only dream act is to get rid of the illegals and Jerry Brown.
Het Moonbeam – Maybe we should just mail US Passports and citizenship papers to anybody in the world who wants them. We could also send applications (in their native language) for food stamps, subsidized housing, Medicaid, etc. This would save all those people the trouble of having to sneak across the border or take an "anchor baby" flight into the country. Once they are here we can give all their kids a free education.
And people ask why we don't trust our government ? Here is a great example as to why
I hope that Nancy and Moonbeam Brown will be very happy together.
There are two parts to the Dream Act. The first, which has already passed, opens up private funding (ie student loans) to illegal immigrants. I don't believe anyone has a problem with this portion.
The second, which is currently being debated among us, would open up tax payer funded grants to illegal aliens. As there is a finite amount of these grants a available, and as the selection process for these funds is totally subjective based on who reviews the applications, there is a significant chance that students who are in the country legally would miss out in favor of student who are not.
That is why there is an incredible blowback against the Dream Act and Gil Cedeo. He is choosing to put foreign students (predominately Hispanic) ahead of American students. Those are the facts, and branding someone racist for stating those facts is a cheap ploy used for misdirection. Our taxes already pay for the K-12 education of illegal immigrants. We shouldn't pay for their higher education as well. They can take out student loans like most American students.
How does an illegal alien pay for student loans without a social security number? Secondly, this dream act can allow illegals access to money to pay for school. Since they're not U.S. Citizens, they can graduate and easily go back to thier home country without paying the loan back. There by the U.S. taxpayer is held accountable by paying more taxes. I consider this another handout.
How does an illegal alien pay for student loans without a social security number?
I guess they have a problem, don't they. Too damned bad.
Starting in 2013, illegal aliens – WILL – have access to taxpayer funded FINANCIAL AID in California.
It is disgusting.
I'm a Romanian/Austrian-3rd generation American and I feel under represented. Where's the article about my people CNN?!
where is my post?
Right here.
What message?
Ohooooooops, I DELETED it.
It is against CNN policy to post. Your usual "American Free Speech" doesn't exist here.
Certainly there are companies in Mexico hiring. Perhaps the real issue is that Mexico isn't handing out free money to go to college for minorities.
Actually they are including giving money to its citizens to keep their children in school (elementary to college). You may not think Mexico is doing anything to fix the poverty and citizens running away from their country, but indeed they are making efforts to keep kids in school, out of trouble, and give them hope for success.
Yup the mexican government is doing something about education and their own economy just look at their number 1 cash crop that keeps slipping across the border into the US in large bundles with the natives.
Now if the US would just legalize that cash crop then mexico would be out of business.
Their cash crop? If Mexico was making money off that, they would be rich 10x over! They have other (legal) natural resources to ultilize and support their citizens. Instead of legalizing drugs (because marijuana is still a strong no matter how you look at it), the US needs to harshly penalilze the US ciitizens who take it and abuse it or provide support systems to get US people off of it. Supply and Demand... economics 101.
Thanks to irresponsible leaders like Jerry Brown, another giant hole was cut in tax payers pockets. No wonder Cali leads the country in not being able to pay it's own way...if you are a smart entrepeneur,vote with your feet and move to Texas.
But she still can't legally work...
You are incorrect, it is most definitely a criminal offense. That is why police show up and arrest people for it.
What, entering another country illegally is a civil offense? Totally ignorant comment!
Actually, the first offense is a misdemeanor (and you get deported) the second offense is a Felony and it is supposed to be jail and deportation. Most illegal aliens are on their second to fifth time. Side note: Only 2 to 4 percent work the farms. YEP.
Do you know what happens to people who get caught crossing from North Korea to China? They get shot in the back. Here, if the border patrol is lucky to catch them, then we drive them around in an air-conditioned bus and take them to the border. What a difference, heh?
I think we need to make things even and have "White in America" . Then we join the crowd and bellyache about how "unfair" things are too...
that want happen.
Oh.. I get it.. we should become North Korea or China now..
I believe they were pointing out the extreme differences in immigration policy in the world. Since groups like the ACLU think that the US is horrible to illegal immigrants. I don't see them complaining out other countries
if you want to believe they think to shoot people, then by all means go ahead. Extreme much??
Sorry, Jimmy, but you are either misinformed or lying to further the agenda. The portion of the DREAM act that is in question is for tax-payer funded grants, which are need based – NOT merit based. Scholarships are not tax-payer funded, therefore that is not a part of the discussion.
Jim,
What other country rewards individuals for not following it's laws. I admire her academic achievements, that is awesome, but please please try to explain away the legality and ethical means that US taxpayers have as US citizens to fund someone who regardless of how has been a illegal since childhood should have hre way paid for by "tax" dollars. It is common knowledge that if you reward bad behavior, it becomes easier for others. If you want to fund her education please stand up and do it...
Correction, she is NOT an American citizen. She is NOT legally in the country.