Undocumented students who don’t have temporary protection from DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and who’ve graduated from a Colorado high school can receive in-state tuition here. However, many still struggle to find jobs after graduation. Undocumented students make up 1.6 percent of those getting degrees. The Colorado Employment Pathways Support Act, a bill YI is leading, aims to create employment pathways for undocumented students after graduation in Colorado.
Check out a young adult story below:
A Lifeline for Dreams: Empowering Undocumented Students
On a rainy morning, I sat on the school bus waiting for my friend. She rushed in, her eyes filled with tears, and explained that ICE had deported her dad. At six years old, I did not understand the word, but when she described how they had sent her dad back to Guatemala because he was an immigrant, I realized my parents were also immigrants. I feared they would not be home when I returned from school. ICE tearing families apart is a fear that has never gone away, especially as anti-immigration sentiment has grown. I wondered how many more children felt this way and what I could do to help eliminate that fear. That fear drove me to consider a career in shaping and implementing policies that protect not only immigrant parents but their children as well.
Through Young Invincibles, I have begun working on these policies. I have partnered with other young adults in Colorado to draft the CASE Act Bill, which would allow undocumented students pursuing higher education to find employment pathways. While students in Colorado can pursue higher education, they face legal barriers that prevent them from utilizing their degrees after graduation. The goal of this bill is to eliminate those barriers. Drafting this bill, which empowers undocumented students, has been both incredibly empowering and crucial.
Recently, the president and his administration have threatened not only undocumented immigrants but also critical education-related programs. The pressure on students who are already vulnerable has intensified. Proposals to cut access to essential resources, including those that support undocumented students, have made it even harder for them to feel empowered or secure in their pursuit of higher education. The CASE Act Bill is more important than ever, as it gives undocumented students the opportunity to continue their education and build the skills and resources they need to advocate for themselves. By creating employment pathways, we allow these students to take control of their futures and fight back against the uncertainty they face. For them, this bill is not just a policy; it is a lifeline that helps them find their voice and pursue their dreams with dignity and respect.
I have seen firsthand how the fear of deportation and the lack of opportunities affect the lives of young people. I remember speaking with a close friend who had excelled academically, only to find that after graduation, she could not use her degree because of the legal barriers she faced when seeking employment. It was heartbreaking to see someone so capable and dedicated feel helpless. This experience solidified my belief in the importance of policies like the CASE Act Bill.
The CASE Act Bill isn’t just a step toward addressing immediate legal barriers; it’s part of a broader vision for a more just system where undocumented students are no longer left behind. Through this bill, we can create a future where every student, regardless of their immigration status, has the tools, resources, and legal support they need to thrive. It is about building a society that sees their potential and gives them the opportunity to contribute fully.
Many students continue to experience the fear I felt as a child. However, with the CASE Act Bill, I believe we can offer a solution—a way to eliminate the barriers and fears that prevent these students from reaching their full potential. It’s about giving them the chance to show the world the strength and resilience I know they have within them.
Quiroz, Citlaly, CO