Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/297225
He didn't have one. Unable to take out student loans, Ng worked to put himself through UC Irvine, graduating in 2011. Finding employment was difficult, because DACA was not yet in effect and he could not work legally. "Immigration is a touchy subject, and lots of politicians seem to forget that it's about families and peoples' lives," says Ng, a spokesperson for Asian Americans Advancing Justice. "America was created by immigrants, and that's what makes us a unique country." Arlene Inouye, treasurer of United Teachers Los Angeles, talked with Ng at a meeting to advance the rights of DREAMers and has asked him to speak to her colleagues about his struggle. "When most people think of DREAMers, they think of Latinos," says Inouye, a third-generation Japanese American. "But about 10 percent are Asian or Asian Pacific Islanders, with Hmong and Vietnamese the fastest-growing groups — and among the most impacted by poverty." Pe o p l e t e n d t o t h i n k o f A s i a n s a s t h e " m o d e l minority" whose members are highly educated in high-paying professions, says Inouye, a speech language pathologist. But many live in poverty and struggle. Student immigrants feel as they though they are living in two worlds, she relates, with one foot in their family's culture and another planted in the modern world. They act as interpreters for their elders and sometimes take on parental responsibilities. UTLA has accepted DREAMer student interns and supported them at rallies and marches. "When we do these things, students know they are cared about, and that they can trust us and ask us for help." Emerging from the shadows Jose Rosas, 25, attended CSU Northridge every other semester so he could work in between and save money for tuition. He says it's been a struggle, but it's worth it. He is nearing graduation. "We're just as capable and determined as other students. We want the same support and opportunities any student is entitled to." Rosas, who was born in Mexico and grew up in South Central Los Angeles, is active in Dreams To Be Heard, an advocacy group on cam- pus, as well as other student activist groups. So is Selene Salas, a Northridge student who describes herself as an immigrant rights activist who is willing to "knock on doors" to spread the word that undocumented students need support and equity. "I won't stay quiet about my legal status," says Salas, who has worked at flea markets to support herself. "I've had really hard days and cried when I was out in the rain pick- ing up bottles, cleaning houses o r wo r k i n g a t a b r i d a l s t o re under the table. I had no other options than to go to college. I want to be a success in life like anybody else." These Chicano studies stu- dents represent the new breed of undocumented youth who are no longer willing to live in the shadows. They are march- ing, protesting and lobbying for equity. Offering these students strong support is Theresa Mon- taño, a CTA Board member and Chicano studies professor. "I have always been a community activist," says Montaño, California Faculty Association, CSU Northridge. "I was born in Los Angeles. But being a Latina, there is no way to escape the immigration issue. It's your issue, whether you were born here or not." Montaño offers DREAMers emotional sup- port and practical advice, and counsels them to file for DACA and receive benefits under the California Dream Act. She admits that at first she worried that if they revealed personal information to the government it could lead to a "witch hunt," but she is relieved to see it isn't happening. "Yes, I absolutely encourage my students to legalize their status," she says. She supported the efforts of students to open a campus resource center for DREAMers. Approved last March, the "We want the same support and opportunities any student is entitled to," says Jose Rosas. "I won't stay quiet about my legal status," says Selene Salas, who organizes others to march, protest and lobby for equity. Feature Theresa Montaño 28 A P R I L 2 0 1 4 Educator 04 Apr 2014 v2.3 int.indd 28 4/15/14 12:04 AM