Terms to know:
- DACA- Protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States as children from deportation. Young underdocumented immigrants receive protection from deportation and a work permit. They are also allowed to study in the United States. DACA expires after two years, but can be renewed.
- Dreamers- The young underdocumented immigrants protected under DACA.
- Underdocumented immigrants- People not born in the United States who are living in U.S. without legal immigration status. This includes individuals who entered the U.S. without permission from the government, and those who entered with a legal visa that has expired.
- Mixed-status families- Immigrant families may include members of different statuses. For example, parents may be underdocumented, but children have U.S. citizenship because they were born in the United States.
Universities underdocumented students cannot attend in the state of Georgia:
- The University of Georgia
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia College and State University
When attending other universities, the state of Georgia bans underdocumented students from receiving in-state tuition.
Political aCtiVity in atHens
The midterm election for Georgia’s next governor will help decide the future of undocumented and underdocumented students in higher education. Athens has been a center of political activity leading up to Election Day.
The political divide was clearly visible in Athens, Ga. as protestors took to the streets on Oct. 9, 2018. They stood just across the street from Donald Trump Jr.’s rally. Trump was showing his support for Kemp as Georgia’s next governor.
Kemp has taken a position on underdocumented immigrants through his campaign advertisements.
StudEnts caught between the Two sides of the aisle
“It was so much easier for me than other underdocumented students because it was an easier process. I was not restricted to which colleges I could apply to, and I didn’t have any problems documentation-wise . So I didn’t have to look for specific colleges like underdocumented students do, and I didn’t have to consider colleges outside of Georgia. It was so much easier,” said Gaona.