The episode on immigration focuses on the current situation facing the United States that could “create everyday people into criminals.” H.R. 4437 Provision was passed on December 16, 2005, stating that “Undocumented presence in the United States would be considered a felony.” This resolution also stated, “Anyone assisting an undocumented individual to reside or remain in the United States knowingly would be liable for criminal penalties and up to five years in prison.” Additionally, H.R. 4427 would have provided government funding to build border fences costing $3.2 million a mile. (source: Library of Congress)
On May 1, 2006, in Los Angeles, CA, young adults took to the streets in reaction to the amendments taking place in Congress by carrying Mexican flags, shouting “Si se puede,” and holding a banner saying, “We also want to be Americans.” These protestors wanted to stop proposition H.R. 4437 from being passed.Many students living in the United States are children of immigrants, illegal and legal. The resolutions debated in Congress will have a profound effect on their education and future life goals. This episode follows the life a student protestor named Fermin Vasquez. He does not have legal documentation to live in the United States and wants to support those students who want to attend college, but do not have the proper documentation to do so. They are not able to apply for financial aid and cannot afford a higher education. Fermin Vasquez says that many high school students have immigrant parents and they feel as if they are being prevented from going to school because of their parents illegal status and lack of documentation.
Tuition rates all over the nation are rising at colleges and universities. AB 540 is a California law that “allows qualified immigrant students to pay in-state college tuition instead of out-of-state tuition.” (source: California State Legislature).
A Student Led Immigrant Rights March was held to promote amnesty for illegal immigrants currently living inside the United States. The resolutions debated in Congress will affect these students if their parents are deported. Many parents fled their countries to escape from war in their home countries and to escape political persecution. Most of these parent’s children are U.S. citizens. What will happen to the children if their parents are deported?
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) is an organization to fight for immigrant rights for all kinds of immigrants. They organize marches, contact the press, and mobilize people to act. They want to pass the American Dream Act that states, “Qualified undocumented students would be eligible for college funding and gain a path to legalization” (Library of Congress).
This episode continues to follow the life of Fermin Vasquez and demonstrates how he participates as an active member of CHIRLA. They show him preparing for the AP exams, dressing for prom, accepting a scholarship, marching in the streets, and meeting politicians in Washington, D.C.
Fermin’s family background is very common for a Hispanic student in America’s public school system. He does great in school, but is unable to attend college. This is a common occurrence for many students from all parts of the world, not solely the Hispanic community. The youth and education of these students is what groups like CHIRLA are fighting to protect. As the debate continues today in Congress over immigrant rights, it is important to remember that a vast majority of immigrants are in the public education system. These students are part of American culture and society and will one day contribute to their knowledge and skills to the American economy and working class.
In the finals words of Fermin in this special produced by mun2, “This is my story. This is who I am and I can’t change that.”
