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Reflection and Press Release from Lana Rajkumar, class of 2002

Today I stand before you...a young woman of color, a student, and a Christian. I also stand before you as both an immigrant and an American. The Bush administration, however, disregards this nation's past to have you believe that these two terms, immigrant and American, cannot coexist. Through racist policies such as the USA Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Proposal, this administration seeks to bring about an oppressive era in which it views all immigrants, including children, as terrorists. But in protest of all of this, I stand here today as both an immigrant and an American and a representative of many others like me. And, indeed, I am no terrorist. I am simply a young person who is deeply concerned about the future of this country, where the government finds it acceptable to cripple the lives of innocent immigrant children by denying them access to education.

President Bush claims that he will leave no child behind. By supporting the overturn of the Supreme Court's 1982 Plyler vs. Doe ruling, however, he will deny millions of immigrant children the right to an education starting as soon as this fall. According to this new policy, if a child cannot provide documentation of his or her status, then he or she will no longer be able to attend school. In effect, in the name of fighting terrorism, President Bush will use young children to track down their parents by demanding that these children choose between disclosing their parents' status and having an education.

What a devastating and unfair burden for a young child to bear, especially considering all of the other challenges immigrant children already face. Immigrant children struggle incessantly to resolve fragmented family relationships, both in this country and their native one. The love and support that they lose from family members left behind and from parents who are busy working to meet their financial needs are so crucial during these years and can never be replaced. Some children become advocates for their entire family through their roles as translators, and this they do as they, too, struggle with language differences. Then there is the overwhelming and ever-present feeling of culture shock.

Already traumatized by these many challenges, President Bush now seeks to impose yet another. By compelling these children to either turn in their parents or give up their education, he breaks their spirits with fear and stifles their hope for the future. Without an education, they will be forced to take menial jobs and live a life of poverty without ever having the chance to realize their dreams and to reach their full potential. Is this how President Bush intends to leave no child behind? As both an immigrant and an American, I refuse to accept this vision of the future.

Throughout our research and analysis as interns this summer on the USA Patriot Act, the Homeland Security Proposal and the Alien Registration Program, I have been greatly disturbed at the direction in which this country is heading and I am proud to take a stand and offer a different vision today with other young people like myself. Thank you.