U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona listened intently as undocumented educators shared their stories about the importance of higher education.
On Tuesday afternoon, Cardona was late getting to a phone call with a United States senator because he was determined to hear the stories of the educators who gathered virtually to tell him about their experiences as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, Dreamers without DACA and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders.
The 11 participants spoke about growing up in the U.S., working towards a higher education, seeing their undocumented status impact those plans and navigating life as best they could. Cardona said these stories would inform his advocacy, adding that the educational system should look at bilingualism as an asset.
“It is my goal to serve as Secretary of Education and unapologetically address achievement disparities, opportunity disparities, to make sure that our students have access to higher education,” said Cardona, himself a first generation college student. “My goal is that I leave with stories to help support our shared mission. … Really paint a picture when I’m advocating on your behalf.”
Some of the participants in the roundtable discussion are currently teachers and have shared their status with their students, helping the students navigate their own issues. They all hope that the recently proposed Dream and Promise Act, which will provide them a pathway to citizenship, will be enacted.
A recurring theme among the participants was the role that high school counselors and teachers play in helping undocumented students access higher education.
Marissa Molina, a DACA recipient and the Colorado state director for FWD.us (focused on reforming the immigration and criminal justice systems), lauded her high school counselor who championed her desire to attend college.
