It’s not uncommon for some Asian high school students to not even know they’re undocumented for different reasons. Sometimes their parents just don’t tell them they are until they’re ready to apply for a driver’s license, work or go to college. Other times, Asians don’t consider themselves undocumented because they entered the country legally, overstayed their visas once they expired, and never actually crossed a border “illegally.” Fear, shame or lack of knowledge about current immigrant laws are some other reasons why Asian parents might not tell their children they are undocumented or why Asian students might keep their immigration status to themselves.

Most undocumented students were kids when their parents immigrated to this country, and had no control over whether their parents came here legally or illegally. They may have been in this country almost their entire lives, and attended most of their K-12 education here and expect to go to college like their peers.

Yet once these students graduate from high school and attempt to go on to college, the process can be a nightmare. Undocumented students might not even know they can legally apply and attend college and might be discouraged or afraid to apply in the first place. If they do apply and get into college, they find out that they do not qualify for federal financial aid, which makes it close to impossible for an undocumented student to attend a public university with cheaper tuition. They can get private aid at a private college, but tuition at private schools is much more expensive, which is why some undocumented students opt to attend public schools.

Undocumented students who do attend college often have to work long hours to pay for school themselves. They deal with financial aid officers and college administrators who are not accustomed to dealing with undocumented students. They deal with going to school with other students who don’t have the slightest clue that they are undocumented. They try their best to adjust and have as close to a regular student life as possible.

For undocumented students who can’t go to college because their families can’t afford it, all they can really do is wait for the laws to change. One of my friends who is undocumented worked hard to pay for his undergraduate education himself. After college he applied and was admitted to law school. However, without federal financial aid, there’s no way he can afford to pay for law school and he has had to defer his admission, hoping that the laws will change soon so he can go to school. Hopefully the laws change soon since a lot of young people’s livelihoods are at stake.

Although the comprehensive immigration reform bill is unfortunately off the table for now, Congress is currently considering passage of the DREAM Act, which stands for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors. The LA Times reports that the Dream Act would enable qualified undocumented students to access financial aid and take steps towards becoming lawful permanent residents. A similar state version that would create a California DREAM Act and enable students to apply for aid to attend California’s public colleges has been proposed and is being considered by the legislature.

The Korean Resource Center reports that the Dream Act provision could be voted on this week. If you want to help support the ability of undocumented students to attain higher education please contact your Senators and ask them to support the DREAM Act amendment to H.R. 1585, which is the Department of Defense Authorization Bill. You can call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to contact your Senators’ offices.