Undocumented Students to Make Dreams a Reality

NEW MEXICO (Agencia EFE) June 4, 2005 - The horizons of many high school graduates in New Mexico who lack a Green Card are broadening thanks to a new measure that, beginning next month, will let them to register as state residents at public colleges.

Thousands of undocumented students will benefit from the law that was approved by the state legislature and will enter into force on June 17.

The new law permits students who do not have legal immigration status in this country to enroll as state residents in New Mexico universities and community colleges, thus allowing them to attend school without paying the much higher tuition charged to "out-of-state" students.

The new rule, however, also allows undocumented students to obtain financial assistance and scholarships offered by state and local organizations.

The only requirement that the undocumented students must fulfill is having studied for at least a year at and graduating from a New Mexico high school.

The most fervent dream of Maria del Carmen Sotomayor will become reality this fall when she can enroll at the University of New Mexico.

Sotomayor, 18, has lived for 10 years in Santa Fe with her parents from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, who left their country, like many others, to seek a better life in the United States.

"My brothers and sisters and I were very small when we arrived in this country. I was only eight and the truth is that I didn't understand why we were leaving our home," she said.

Despite being an excellent student and having one of the highest grade point averages in her class, Sotomayor knew that her studies would be cut short if the law were not revised.

"I just want the chance to continue studying, to someday get a degree and be able to give that diploma to my mother," she added.

The young woman said she plans to study law and political science, and she added that she was very happy with the legislature's approval of the new law, since she and 200 other students had given testimony before state lawmakers over the past few months hoping that a change would be made.

"It's a pleasure that the politicians notice that we young people are the future of this state and, above all, that we're not to blame for the actions of our parents," she remarked.

The approval of the new law still faces heavy opposition from some local politicians who say that it is unfair that a U.S. citizen who lives outside New Mexico finds himself forced to pay tuition costs as high as a foreign student, while an undocumented student can pay only state-resident tuition.

According to current university and community college admission regulations, any student who has not lived in the state for at least a year must pay out-of-state tuition. After living in New Mexico for one year, those students' status changes, however, and they can pay the lower tuition offered to state residents.

Those opposing the law say that it will take away that opportunity from U.S. citizens and legal residents.

The undocumented students will have to meet the same requirements as any other students who wants to get a higher education in the state.

Sotomayor said that if it weren't for the opportunity provided by the legislative change, she would never be able to get a university degree.

A New Mexico resident pays an average of $1,500 per semester to attend college in the state, while an out-of-state student must pay up to $5,000 per semester.

Sotomayor also said that although it might be difficult for her family to pay for her university studies, even with the lower tuition, they are ready to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure that she goes to college.