Ellington

Jackie Martinez fled civil war in El Salvador when she was 10 years old and came to America. During high school, she worked full time and took enough honors classes to graduate with an associate degree. Martinez went on to obtain a master’s degree in public administration, and is now a doctoral student in education at the UW.

It wasn’t until two years ago that she officially obtained legal residency, and now Martinez must wait three more years before she can apply for citizenship.

Undocumented students — like Martinez was through most of her college career — have been eligible for in-state tuition since the passage of House Bill 1079 in 2003, granted they meet certain criteria. However, unlike other in-state students, they are not eligible to receive state need grants.

That is why on Wednesday, Martinez, along with five undocumented college students from the state, testified in Olympia in favor of HB 1706.

Under this bill, undocumented students would be eligible for the state’s main financial aid program.

Need grants are awarded to undergraduates whose income is 70 percent less than the median if they are classified as “resident students,” with the exclusion of residents living in the state without proper paperwork.

To be considered eligible for in-state tuition rates, undocumented students must complete their senior year of high school and receive a diploma in Washington. They must continuously live in the state for at least three years before earning the diploma and stay in the state after receiving the diploma and before entering college. Also, they must provide an affidavit saying they will apply for citizenship as soon as possible and participate in activities required to do so.

“1079 (undocumented) students are not criminals; they are educated and highly capable students who want to contribute to this country and our state,” said Barbra Guzman, research and policy director of the Latino/Latina Educational Achievement Project.

Several other groups voiced concerns about the bill’s possible effects on the state.

Mariann Davies, a member of You Don’t Speak for Me, a Hispanic U.S. citizens group that opposes need grants for undocumented students, feels students who are non-citizens in the United States should be treated like all other international students.

Leon Donahue, of Washingtonians for Immigration Reform, agreed.

“If I was a veteran with a silver star from the state of Oregon, and I wanted to go to WSU, I’d have to pay out-of-state tuition, but an illegal alien could pay in-state tuition,” Donahue said. “We need to get back on a level playing field.”

Grassroots of the Yakima Valley also shared concerns about the financial impact of illegal immigration and opposes the bill, said group representative Robert West.

“Do we have a system of laws here, in this country, or don’t we?” said Judy Talbeck of Renton. “Are we favoring [illegal immigrants] over legal children?”

However, Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mt. Vernon, the bill’s primary sponsor, compared the public education system to Doctors without Borders, a humanitarian organization that provides medical aid in more than 60 countries.

“[Doctors Without Borders] say, ‘If there’s a medical need, let’s take care of it,’” Quall explained. “That’s a generous philosophy, and I like a generous philosophy.”

One UW student who testified in favor of the bill said, “Courage is what is going to be needed to pass this bill.”

Following his testimony, the student received close to 45 “hate e-mails.” Because of his undocumented status, he was unwilling to go on the public record again.

“I was proud to stand up for what I believe is right and to give a voice to the many other students who are in my situation,” he said. “All I am asking is an opportunity to share the American dream.”

Reach reporter Kaitlin Strohschein at news@dailyuw.com.