P.J., an undocumented student, 23, from South Korea, came to this country at age 5 with her parents. They came on student visas and stayed after they expired. The entire family lost its legal status.
At the College Board event, P.J. recalled how her mother told her she was undocumented when she was 14. After high school, she was accepted to a private liberal arts college, then dropped out to work as a waitress when she couldn’t afford it.
Eventually, she earned a full scholarship to Bucknell University. After graduation, she got a job — as a full-time nanny. With financial help from her father’s company, she now attends Columbia University graduate school.
“I graduate in about four weeks and, once I graduate, there is absolutely nothing for me to do,” she said, then stopped as she choked up with tears. “It’s extremely difficult. I just don’t know what I’m going to do. Undocumented people, we love America. We just hope America will embrace us back.”
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
