by Fernando Mejía

At only eleven years old, Rosa and her mother left their home in Mexico and made the long and treacherous journey through the desert to reunite with their family in the United States. Her father awaited them far north, in Idaho. Years earlier, he had made the same journey, driven by the need to provide food, shelter, home and a future for his children. For years, he toiled and saved so he could bring his dispersed family together.

Now, at 18, Rosa remains undocumented like so many of the kids caught in the middle of the current immigration debate. On the verge of graduating from high school, she is at the crossroads of her life. Although she is a grade-A student and community activist, Rosa's options for higher education are, essentially, non-existent.

The immigration debate is a complex one. It is freighted with vicious rhetoric and calls to criminalize the very lives of so many immigrants. However, amid the escalating backlash against immigrant communities, there is a glimmer of hope.

On a national level, pending legislation known as the DREAM Act would provide immigration relief to many students. Now, they simply don't have any way of becoming permanent residents and, eventually, citizens. And, on the state level, the Idaho Legislature is considering a bill enabling undocumented Idahoan kids to have access to in-state tuition rates. (Currently in Idaho the difference between out-of-state of $12,000 per year, and in-state tuition of $5,000 per year is substantial.)
Without these changes, the future will remain bleak for undocumented students, given the dual burden of immigration system obstacles and the extreme costs of higher education. This is the reality that Rosa faces. If she cannot continue her studies, she will be forced to work the fields or take a low-wage, service sector job-and for her family the cycle of poverty will go on. She is not alone. As indicated by high drop-out rates among immigrant youth, students feel a great-but perhaps realistic-hopelessness. Shut out of the education system, for undocumented youth the doors to economic opportunity remain closed and poverty persists.

The DREAM Act represents a tangible solution for young people like Rosa. This federal legislation would encourage states to provide in-state tuition, as well as opening a pathway to citizenship for many undocumented youth. In other words, it would address both the immigration system and education system obstacles faced by Rosa and others.

This legislation has been in the works since 2003, but last year it finally received Senate approval. Now it awaits action in the House of Representatives.

Getting the DREAM Act passed is a top priority for the Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN). The group has organized youth, educated the public and galvanized leaders of academic institutions in its support. Starting in the fall of 2005, ICAN created a Speaker's Bureau composed of immigrant youth leaders. The Speaker's Bureau trained youth to help them communicate this issue to people who may know very little about the lives of immigrants. The students learned how to speak with media and develop positive messaging.

Energized, in a single month the team conducted 30 presentations throughout Idaho with grassroots organizations, high schools and colleges. Their push to educate the public and build support for this issue was the starting point for building a strong base of immigrant youth leaders.
Then they stepped it up even more. In February 2006, the Speaker's Bureau convened a statewide conference and training at Albertson College. About 30 students came together to hone their framing, messaging and public speaking skills. And they also thought big, developing a strategic plan to make the DREAM Act a reality.

They put the plan into action. In spring 2006, the Speaker's Bureau moved on to colleges and universities, organizing faculty and student governments to write and pass resolutions supporting the DREAM Act. They won resolution after resolution: Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis and Clark State College, University of Idaho, Albertson College of Idaho, College of Southern Idaho.

With the base of immigrant youth leaders growing, ICAN was able to take the lead in organizing a regional meeting with 150 participants from Oregon and Idaho. At this large meeting, immigrant rights activists were able to make the connection between the DREAM Act and the broader issue of comprehensive immigration reform.

Despite these efforts, the national debate on immigration has stalled and the DREAM Act finds itself in limbo. But that has not stopped ICAN, which has built tremendous support for immigrant youth and developed a strong network of youth leaders.

ICAN's work continues at the state level. In particular, ICAN drafted legislation on in-state tuition that has been introduced this legislative session. House Bill 220, the Idaho Student Investment Act, would allow many students to pay in-state tuition, regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet a new set of requirements.

The struggle for immigrant rights is a struggle for civil rights. Issues of racism, poverty and social justice are at the heart of this battle. Stereotypes that perpetuate negative images of immigrants must be debunked and we must open our eyes and hearts to the struggles that all poor people face. Here in Idaho we have an opportunity to pass HB 220 and give young people the help they need to become valuable members of society.

Fernando Mejía is an intern with the Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN), which received a grant from RESIST last year to work on the project DREAM in Motion. For more information, contact ICAN at 208-385-9146, 3450 Hill Road, Boise, ID 83703.