Daily News

By Gerry Smith, Herald-Sun Washington bureau

DURHAM — Next week, Jezreel Garcia will graduate from Riverside High School with a 3.8 GPA, five Advanced Placement credits and acceptance letters from UNC- Chapel Hill and N.C. State University.

But Garcia, 18, can’t afford to enroll in either school. As an undocumented immigrant, he doesn’t qualify for in-state tuition, scholarships or financial aid.

"Sometimes, it feels like all of the work I’ve done just goes down the drain," he says.

But a section of immigration reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate last week could yet give him a chance at enrolling in the college of his choice.

Called the DREAM Act — Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors — it would eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that grant in-state tuition to undocumented students. The bill would also give such students a path to citizenship if they complete two years of college or serve two years in the military.

The Senate amendment must be reconciled in upcoming negotiations with the U.S. House version of immigration reform, which does not include a provision for students here illegally.

Garcia, who asked that his real first name not be used, came to Durham from Mexico City with his family five years ago, but their visas expired in 2003. Applying for a new one takes about two years, Garcia says, and his family has not found the necessary sponsor.

Ten states have enacted legislation allowing long-term unauthorized immigrant students to pay in-state tuition, provided they meet certain requirements, such as signing a sworn statement promising to seek legal status. Some students who are citizens have filed suits against the state laws. (more…)

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