I am an educator. As with any profession involving children and politics, my job can be simultaneously grueling and rewarding. As a high school teacher I estimate that I answer upwards of 100,000 questions every day. I am able to navigate them all, and usually offer a friendly smile at the end, but this week one stopped me mid-breath. "How do I apply to college as an illegal immigrant?"
I stopped, thought, and looked. I looked into the eyes of a young woman who I had the privilege of teaching for the past three years. I gazed at her, replaying in my mind moments when she displayed great intelligence, compassion, citizenship, leadership, and entrepreneurship. I reflected upon the institute she attended to aid in research about cleaner water solutions and green initiatives in schools. I quickly recalled the poem she composed outlining her desire to go to college. As my mind whirled, I was quickly brought back to her confused eyes and her question. "Can I get into college without a social security number?"
"I do not know. But I am sure we can find out." You see, as an educator, I find it against my nature to just say, "I don't know." After finding the answer to this question however, I was not satisfied. I found that a student who was moved to the United States at 2 years old is not eligible for in-state tuition. I discovered that a student who has met all the same requirements as their peers will not be accepted into a university unless there is still room left after all other acceptance letters are mailed. I learned that a student with five advanced placement courses in high school is rarely offered an opportunity to apply their knowledge at the college level. My dissatisfaction led me to action.
I printed applications for the top-five college choices of my beloved student. I instructed her to apply and offered my services as a reference, proofreader, essay topic, computer provider, etc. I let her know that I would do what it takes to see her dream come true. When I said that, I meant it.
Today, I continue to believe that her dream is just as valuable as mine was when I was afforded the opportunity to attend a public university (tuition free, thanks to a lottery funded program). I believe that her dream is equally as critical as that of her best friend, a refugee with legal status. I know that her dream is as valuable as young Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama. I am convicted that the power of Christ's transformative love has the opportunity to be showcased as the Christian community unites to support this cause.
I urge everyone to take the time and reflect upon this issue of civil rights. I plan to put stamps on my student's applications. I will congratulate her as she opens acceptance letters to colleges of her choice. I will brag as I read her future environmental research. I commit to do my part in ensuring that my student, and every student in her position, is no longer oppressed in a country that is the only home they have ever known.
C. Rufenacht was an educator in the southeast when this article was published.
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