FAYETTEVILLE — Life in the United States is good, full of promise to those willing to work hard — and full of uncertainty and fear to those without legal residency, either as American citizens or legal residents.
That was the message from six young adults who shared their stories at an April 23 forum in Fayetteville sponsored by the University of Arkansas. All six of the panelists have spent the majority of their lives as undocumented citizens. Just one has obtained legal residency but it’s a dream shared by all six. Taking part in the discussion, billed as “Undocumented: Living in the Shadows,” was a risk, they acknowledged, but it’s one they were willing to take to further the discussion of undocumented residents.
The subject can be polarizing and the university seemed armed — literally — for hostilities. More than an hour before the discussion began, armed officers and even a K-9 unit stood watch as audience members filed into the hall.
Chancellor G. David Gearhart said the university received “angry, mean-spirited and, frankly, rude” reactions since news of the panel discussion broke. Some suggested canceling the event.
“That possibility was never even remotely considered,” he said.
Gearhart said it’s part of the UA’s function to “better inform the public” and he said the panelists helped “better humanize the undocumented life.”
“The University of Arkansas does not condone illegal immigration,” Gearhart said. However, he said he personally does support immigration reform as well as the proposed Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which could help undocumented residents obtain legal residency after they successfully attend college or serve in the military.
All six panelists told compelling stories and the audience, which seemed comprised primarily of university or community college administrators and students, was largely sympathetic.
The panelists included:
Isabel Castillo, who came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 6, attended Virginia public schools and earned a social work degree from Eastern Mennonite University. She’s unable to work in her chosen field because of her undocumented status and she works as a waitress.
Jonathan Chavez, a senior at the University of Arkansas who aspires to a career as an opera singer. A native of Peru, he grew up in Fayetteville and calls it his home. Chavez unwittingly made headlines in 2010 when he was detained by immigration officials in Florida where he had gone for a family emergency. He spent four weeks in custody — “one of the worst but one of the best” experiences of his life as he passed the time conducting Bible studies and meeting other detainees. He was eventually able to resume his UA studies but faces an uncertain future without documentation. He recently had to turn down the chance to study in Austria because of his status, but he took that disappointment in stride, saying God opens other windows when one door closes.
Zessna Garcia, a broadcast journalism major at the UA who’s lived in Bentonville since she was 3. A journalist in Mexico would be in danger, especially one unfamiliar with the country.
“I don’t have any family (there) that I know personally. … I don’t know the system. I don’t know how things work,” she said.
Carlos Saavedra, a native of Peru who grew up in Massachusetts. The only one of the six panelists to have obtained legal residency, Saavedra tried to help his younger brother, who is still undocumented and is about to graduate from high school. He was unable to do so.
Cesar Vargas, a magna cum laude graduate of City of New York Law School. Born in Mexico, he’s lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., since age 5. He tried to enlist in the Marines after 9/11 but couldn’t because of his status.
Rosa Velazquez, a Mexican native who’s been in the U.S. since she was 5. She calls De Queen home and teaches English as a Second Language. She is currently studying for her master’s degrees — one each in English as a Second Language and another in literacy — at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
Chavez, the UA student who faced deportation in Florida, said he’s applied for a work permit four times. Each time, his application has been returned with no explanation and no instructions on how to proceed. His parents are now both legal residents and will become naturalized citizens within a few months. Their son doesn’t yet have a way to become a citizen.
“God has helped me so much,” Chavez said. “I know it will be OK, no matter what. He’s above the government.” And, he added, “We don’t take free stuff. We earn it. I love Arkansas. I was born in Peru, but I always say I’m from Arkansas.”
All six told of willingness to work hard to get what they want, whether it was putting themselves through school (many scholarships aren’t available to undocumented residents) or to find employment. Vargas, the New York law school graduate, recently opened his own business, a political consulting firm.
As the evening concluded, one audience member challenged the panelists to a debate. Saying he was a Special Forces veteran, the man said, “I feel for all of you … I think you’re all fine people.” But they’ve been misled and left in bad situations by everyone, including their parents, he said.
Asked why they didn’t “get in line” and pursue legal residency like other immigrants, the panelists indicated there is no clear way to do so because laws conflict. “I’d love to get in line,” Garcia said, if she could only find where the line is.
“We’re really trying,” Chavez said. “We’re waiting and get no answers — not even a lead of who to ask for help.”
