| The issue of illegal immigration has reached a fever | | | | last year, according to the Department of Homeland |
| pitch. But what about those who are caught in the | | | | Security (DHS). Arizona, Oklahoma, and Utah have |
| cross-hairs and didn't even know it? | | | | passed new legislation that will make it tougher for |
| Economists at Bear Stearns, a leading Wall Street firm, | | | | undocumented immigrants to live and work in those |
| tell us there are almost 20 million undocumented people | | | | states. Immigration law has become a hot-button issue |
| living in the United States. Many of them are | | | | for politicians throughout the country. |
| school-aged kids. | | | | There Is Hope |
| Angel, a 17 year old senior at El Toro High School in | | | | While it can seem overwhelming, the US does offer |
| Lake Forest, CA, came here from Guatemala at the | | | | several paths to legal residency. Under the right |
| age of 4. Twelve years later, he realized he was | | | | circumstances, even so-called "illegal aliens" can legally |
| undocumented. "I was going to get this job so I needed | | | | obtain a United States Visa. The good news for |
| my Social Security number," he explains. "My mom said | | | | teenagers is: as long as they are under the age of 18, |
| I didn't have one. It was crazy; I've been here most of | | | | the government does not hold their undocumented |
| my life." | | | | status against them. There are options available to |
| He's not alone. According to a recent article by Anne | | | | these children. But the quicker they act, the easier it will |
| Ryman of The Arizona Republic, nearly 4,000 college | | | | be. Adults over 18 may also have a good chance, |
| students in Arizona were denied in-state tuition | | | | especially those who have at least one family member |
| because they failed to prove legal residency. Like | | | | who is already an American Citizen. Hardship Waivers, |
| Angel, many teenagers who have been in the US for | | | | which can allow an undocumented person to legally |
| most of their lives are suddenly finding it difficult to | | | | stay in the US, are approved by immigration officials |
| remain here in this country they've called "home" for so | | | | surprisingly often. |
| long. | | | | Learning the in's and out's of US Immigration law can |
| "It's like, I'm glad [my parents] brought me here, but I | | | | be complicated, but successfully navigating through |
| don't know what I'm going to do later," says Angel. | | | | them is the best chance for staying in the US for |
| The Pressure Is On | | | | undocumented teens like Angel. |
| More than 185,431 people were deported from the US | | | | |