Delegate sponsors bill barring undocumented immigrants from state colleges

[Derechos]

Del. Christopher K. Peace, R-Hanover, has introduced legislation that would bar undocumented immigrants from attending public universities and colleges, renewing an effort he started three years ago.His proposal is just one of several that tackle illegal immigration, highlighting a growing sentiment in the state to dissuade illegal immigrants from coming to Virginia.

Peace's bill touches on an emotional subject for many young immigrants and immigrant advocates who have been lobbying for broader access to higher education. Many of them had high hopes about the federal DREAM Act, which failed to pass in the U.S. Senate last month and would have given a chance to achieve legal status to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

snip

Isabel Castillo of Harrisonburg said the proposal penalizes students like her who had no choice in their parents' decision to bring them to the U.S. illegally.

"I am a Virginia girl. I started first grade here," said the 25-year-old who has lived in Virginia since age 6, attended public schools, and after graduating with a 4.0 GPA managed to get into a private university to study social work. "We have lived here all our lives. Why not give us the opportunity to pursue higher education?"

Castillo had hoped the federal DREAM Act would resolve her situation and that of thousands of immigrants. Now she and other advocates plan to lobby against Peace's proposal, which she said adds another barrier for undocumented immigrants who want a college education.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/jan/13/TDMAIN01-delegate-sponsors-bill-barring-undocument-ar-771245/#comments