Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: Si se puede!By Alejandra Rincón

Reviewed by Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Ph.D.

 Among the numerous articles and books regarding the controversial status of undocumented immigrants in the United States that have been published in recent years, this book – Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: Si se puede! - is unique.  It documents the struggle of a special group of  young people who seek access to higher education so they can continue their education and prepare to enter the workforce, many in occupations where there exist a shortage of skilled workers.   These students have graduated from American high schools, some with honors, and have done all the right things to qualify for admission to a community college or university.

 The book is a well written and carefully researched history of the struggle of undocumented immigrant students to access higher education.  The use of reliable data, detailed footnotes, numerous legal citations and a comprehensive bibliography makes this a valuable resource for advocates of undocumented immigrants as well as for scholars and policy makers of immigration issues in general.

 One of the strengths of Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: Si se puede! is that, regardless of  the Spanish subtitle, it advocates for all immigrants regardless of country of origin as well as for native born Americans who have had to struggle for civil rights.  Rincón believes that the unjust treatment of these groups has always been an affront to revered American principles as well as a clear violation of the 14^th Amendment of the US Constitution.  For this reason, she argues that the contribution of undocumented immigrant students to the economic well being of our nation, though important, should not be the most compelling reason for facilitating their access to higher education.  Some readers may not agree with her, but she is convinced that the struggle of these students is not for economic opportunity but for equal rights, specifically for the right to an education. She writes: “Civil and democratic rights codified in law and supported in the court of public opinion as aspects of human dignity and rights are more likely to endure than promises of aggrandizement for business interests.”

 Without a doubt, Alejandra Rincón has made a unique contribution to the literature and to the debate regarding immigrants and immigration in our country.  She has done an amazing job of dispelling myths and correcting misinformation that often proliferate in the media and less serious publications. This book is a “must read” or at least a “must have” for all those who wish to be accurately informed as they give serious thought to the issues relating to the undocumented immigrants in our midst.  It is a powerful tool for those who advocate for legislation that promotes access to higher education and the eventual citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants.

Dr. Ruth Burgos-Sasscer is Chancellor Emerita of the Houston Community College System.  She now resides in Silver Spring, Maryland and is a community activist in Montgomery County.  She is a member of the board and past chair of the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy.