By Kaylyn Kluck
The first college chapter of an organization focused specifically on immigrant rights and advocacy, including the equalization of tuition between documented and undocumented students, could appear on campus next fall.
Around 10 University of Iowa students are in the process of forming a chapter of DREAM: Iowa, a state political advocacy group that aims to organize individuals who meet the general requirements of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act.
The DREAM Act is a legislative proposal to grant undocumented immigrants conditional residency, and upon meeting further qualifications, be given permanent residency.
Two sisters from Waterloo founded DREAM: Iowa through social media shortly after the implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. President Obama’s 2012 executive order grants certain illegal immigrants a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation.
According to DREAM: Iowa documents, the state is home to an estimated 37,000 undocumented immigrants.
UI sophomore Fidel Estrada, one of the leaders of the group, said he was inspired to start a chapter of DREAM: Iowa on campus after seeing one of the sister groups give a presentation last fall that advocated for immigrant rights. As a first-generation American himself, Estrada said, he was moved by the cause.
“I really felt the need to do something about this on campus,” he said.
The group has submitted an application to become an official student organization next fall, and Estrada has been promoting DREAM: Iowa through social media and speaking about it in classes.
The group seeks to have the state Board of Regents consider changing its policy toward undocumented students.
“It would push for tuition equity here on campus,” Estrada said. “Those who are undocumented and on [the Alien Minors Act] aren’t eligible to have in-state tuition.”
UI sophomore Ivania Guerra, a Alien Minors Act recipient, said the group would also provide support for undocumented students on campus and keep them informed on their legal rights.
“DREAM: Iowa would serve as a group of allies to show support for undocumented students and [Alien Minors Act] recipients, push for advocacy, and just let them know we’re here,” Guerra said.
UI junior Emiliano Martinez said the group is trying to bring awareness and education to inherently complex issues.
“One of the most pressing issues of our time is going to be how immigration is interpreted in the United States,” Martinez wrote in a statement to The Daily Iowan. “Our goal is to work with the DREAM: Iowa foundation to reach out, and use our opportunity to educate and share our position with those in our University of Iowa community.”
UI doctoral student Peggy Valdés, also a first-generation American, said she feels a personal responsibility to support people brought to the U.S. at a very young age and have known no other home.
“Undocumented people are so vulnerable in our society,” Valdés wrote the DI. “They are prey to bad labor practices, all kinds of exploitation, from rent gouging to having to pay more for everything, including college.”
Valdés said DREAM: Iowa is important because it advocates for access to education.
“Because of Iowa’s college tuition policies for undocumented students, they are forced to pay more for their education than the same people they went to middle school and high school with,” she wrote.
Valdés believes education provides opportunity, the very essence of the American Dream.
“I think that’s why it’s so appropriate that the group is called Dream Iowa,” she said.
