Underground Undergrads
For my Chicano 10B Class, we had to read a book called Underground Undergrads. It basically consists of eight UCLA undocumented students who share their story about their financial problems, and the struggles that they have to live by everyday in order to attend UCLA. This book also educates the reader on different legislation that has either helped or has tried to destroy the undocumented community; one that will help is the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act has not yet passed but if it did, it would provide legislation to certain students who brought to the United States as little kids. As of now students that have their degrees can’t used them because they are undocumented. The DREAM Act will also will alleviate some financial problems by letting students apply for aid, similar like the FASFA.
FUN FACT- Did you know that California has over 25,000 undocumented students graduating each year?? Many of these students don’t have the chance to achieve a higher education because they don’t have the money to pay for college. Being an undocumented student means that there is no federal help when it comes to money. Many of the 25,000 people graduating from high school where the valedictorian or graduated at the top of their class. I think it is unfair that these students are not given a chance to contribute to the country they grew up in. Many of them didn’t have a choice but to go where ever their parents took them and now they have to face a life of burden because they are undocumented.
Underground Undergrads was eye-opening. I learned about the many struggles that undocumented students at UCLA have to deal with. What I really enjoyed about the book was that the authors let the reader know that when the word “immigrant” comes up, it doesn’t only deal with Mexicans / Latinos. I have heard many stories similar to the ones on the book. I have two AB 540 friends from high school that come to UCLA. Their story is the same as many students in the book. What trips me out the most is that they were the Valedictorian and the runner up and they have to struggle to be at UCLA. I really hope that the DREAM Act passes because it would not only help people I know and care about, but also many students that want to achieve the American Dream.
