Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: Sí Se Puede!By Alejandra Rincón, 2008

The discussion on immigration has been a hot-topic issue for many years. With the September 11, 2001 events, attitudes and actions about immigrants took on new meaning for many people—unfortunately, not a positive one. Many immigrants-legal and undocumented- became the scapegoat of many.

 Rincón writes about the issue of Undocumented Students and Higher Education and does so with an insider’s view of the challenges-providing the reader with a sense of the complete issue-well researched and documented. At the same time, she provides a comprehensive accounting of state and national policies, and succeeds in providing a factual and comprehensive accounting that details the years of legislative and political activities associated with these students and their quest for a higher degree—against all odds.

 Rincón’s historical overview of the issue is a thorough review of not only the legal cases, but the public sentiment, and the plight of the students and families affected by this issue. It is a well researched book, which provides clarity to the many issues surrounding this situation, and is written in a style which allows readers from all communities to understand the complexities of the circumstances these students and their families face. The reader gets a clear understanding of the issues faced by students.

 This will undoubtedly become a major book that community, political and educational leaders will find as a valuable resource on this issue. It will also prove to be extremely beneficial to anyone who is searching for a concise overview of the undocumented student issue. It will be particularly helpful in the classroom to document the plight of these students at a national and state level.

 The discussion about undocumented students is often a cantankerous one. When one puts a face to the issue, it is often a different story-one of civil rights, human dignity and not one about being ‘illegal’. It is the story of so many young people who deserve much more than our nation has shown them. It is also a conversation that immediately brings emotion into the discussion. Rincón writes about this issue in a way which allows for a thorough understanding of the laws and policies, state and federal that students face in their everyday lives.

Alfred R. Herrera is Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Partnerships at the University of California Los Angeles. He is also the co-founder of the Leticia A.Network, an immigrant advocacy group in California.