From University Leadership Initiative in Austin

This was actually received as a comment. However I think its really important that everyone have a chance to read it. Making it a regular post instead of a comment makes it more accessible.

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Hello EDUCATION SUPPORTERS:

We must support and NOT TURN OUR BACK to our youth who are so desparate to continue with their education.

My name is Julieta. I am part of the University Leadership Initiative (ULI). ULI promotes higher education for Latino students, specifically undocumented immigrant students (as 95% of RAZA in ULI are the affected community), while promoting civic participation amongst our youth.

ULI promotes the passage of the DREAM Act, as it would provide an opportunity to our RAZA to practice their professions and further contribute in all levels for our RAZA. The passage of the DREAM Act is imperative for the youth of Texas and the nation. Since 2001, in-state tuition (HB 1403) was passed and as a result, many (in the thousands) of our HB 1403/Noriega’s students have earned a degree and/or are continuing to obtain a graduate degree.

ULI visits Texas high schools to provide information about HB 1403 and the DREAM Act. We inform students about eligibility for both, HB 1403 and DREAM Act, (i.e. earning a college degree and joining the military). The majority of the RAZA we encounter state that they decide to dropout of high school, NOT because they don’t want to go to college but because they believe that their undocumented status will allow limited opportunities for their advancement. Time and time again, ULI encounters students with the same mind set - “Miss, why should I come to school if I am illegal and they won’t let me attend college, pa’ que?.” Even after 6 years of the passage of HB 1403 the lack of information and complex process prevents many of our students from continuing with their education.

However, the DREAM Act will provide opportunities for our students and at the same time enable them to take action without any fear of repercussions.

The DREAM Act does contain a Military clause, but we must realize IT IS ONE OPTION. We urge others to focus on preventing our RAZA from dropping out of high school and instead give them the tools to earn a college degree. Our task as educators, parent-teacher liaisons, counselors, mentors, principals, superintendents, and community leaders is to get our youth to graduate from high school and go to college. It is our responsibility to raise the stakes in our schools and ensure that our students are provided with the necessary information to empower them to go to college. It is not the government or the schools; it is our duty as RAZA, as individuals to make sure our RAZA attends college and most importantly that they graduate from college.

We applaud the RAZA Educators who have provided scholarships for our youth and urge all the other organizations to raise funds for scholarship for these students, as one of the main barriers for our youth is the financial barrier.


Julieta Garibay
DREAM Campaign Director
University Leadership Initiative
Jovenes LULAC Council 4859