top of page

Undocumented, but not limited

Challenged by a lack of a legal status, this student accepted no excuses and is determined to be a success.

By Mickie Shaw, Multimedia Editor


[The subject of this profile asked that only her first name be used.]


The summer heat was stifling, even at night, and their fear only added to the discomfort as nearly 50 people, mostly men, quietly moved through a cotton field. They had crossed the border from Mexico to Arizona and were suddenly in America — illegally.


After crossing, the dusty, tired and anxious group piled into a waiting fruit truck and traveled several hours to Indio, California. Once in Indio, the migrants stayed overnight in a safe house. The next day they traveled in minivans to Los Angeles. Seeking adventure and leaving poverty behind, Maria, 24, and her sister, 19, both made the dangerous trek to the United States from their small town of Morillia, Mexico.


Maria smiled at the memory, as she told the story of that fateful crossing.


Now a full-time student at Valley College, the petite, dark-haired 45-year-old is a child development major who wants to transfer to CSUN after earning her associate of arts degree. Maria earned a 4.0 grade point average last semester while also working as a housekeeper.


“I would like to work with children with special needs in the Hispanic community. You know parents are not well educated, some don’t speak English, some are ashamed to say my child has different needs,” said Maria. “I would like to work with small children. I think that is when they need the most support. Especially in our community where education is not a priority.”


Photo by Mickie Shaw/The Valley Star

Maria always loved school. As a young student in Mexico, she started working at 14 years old as a housekeeper to help her impoverished family —including nine siblings — survive. After graduating from high school, she was discouraged from continuing her studies and told to find a full-time job. In the United States, Maria started her academic career with English classes at Van Nuys High School. Eventually, she completed her high school diploma and was encouraged by councilors to take community college classes.


A recipient of the California Dream Act, which pays for her school fees, she worries about the threat of deportation and the cutting of programs that have helped her attend school.


“Especially when the new presidency began, I would hear people were caught [by ICE] driving children to school,” said Maria with a deep concern in her voice. “That makes me feel a little afraid. Not just to be detained but … what is going to happen to my daughter?”


The lack of legal status and a social security number limits her academically. It is a challenge she deals with often.


“Sometimes I really need the [legalization documents], like right now at school. I would have better opportunities if I had papers,” said Maria.


Now married, she has a 10-year-old daughter who is an American-born citizen. Her academic success has even inspired her husband, who is also undocumented, to start English classes.


“I would like — especially young people — to know that there are no limitations. There are no excuses. That it is a hard job to do, but you can make it.”

19 Kommentare


BFVY IRTO
BFVY IRTO
10. Feb.

AV在线看 AV在线看;

自拍流出 自拍流出;

国产视频 国产视频;

日本无码 日本无码;

动漫肉番 动漫肉番;

吃瓜专区 吃瓜专区;

SM调教 SM调教;

ASMR ASMR;

国产探花 国产探花;

强奸乱伦 强奸乱伦;

Gefällt mir

BFVY IRTO
BFVY IRTO
09. Feb.

AV在线看 AV在线看;

自拍流出 自拍流出;

国产视频 国产视频;

日本无码 日本无码;

动漫肉番 动漫肉番;

吃瓜专区 吃瓜专区;

SM调教 SM调教;

ASMR ASMR;

国产探花 国产探花;

强奸乱伦 强奸乱伦;

Gefällt mir

BFVY IRTO
BFVY IRTO
06. Jan.

代发外链 提权重点击找我;

蜘蛛池 蜘蛛池;

谷歌马甲包/ 谷歌马甲包;

谷歌霸屏 谷歌霸屏;

谷歌霸屏 谷歌霸屏

蜘蛛池 蜘蛛池

谷歌快排 谷歌快排

Google外链 Google外链

谷歌留痕 谷歌留痕

Gái Gọi…

Gái Gọi…

Dịch Vụ…

谷歌霸屏 谷歌霸屏

负面删除 负面删除

币圈推广 币圈推广

Google权重提升 Google权重提升

Google外链 Google外链

google留痕 google留痕

Gefällt mir

jejf afpg
jejf afpg
31. Dez. 2024

代发外链 提权重点击找我;

谷歌蜘蛛池 谷歌蜘蛛池;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune…

谷歌权重提升/ 谷歌权重提升;

谷歌seo 谷歌seo;

מכונות ETPU מכונות ETPU;

Машини ETPU Машини ETPU

ETPU-Maschinen ETPU-Maschinen

EPS-машины EPS-машины

ЭПП-машины ЭПП-машины� بي يو

ETPU maşınları ETPU maşınları

ETPUマシン ETPUマシン

ETPU 기계 ETPU 기계

Gefällt mir

WKDU TRBD
WKDU TRBD
28. Dez. 2024

代发外链 提权重点击找我;

谷歌蜘蛛池 谷歌蜘蛛池;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune…

谷歌权重提升/ 谷歌权重提升;

谷歌seo 谷歌seo;

מכונות ETPU מכונות ETPU;

Машини ETPU Машини ETPU

ETPU-Maschinen ETPU-Maschinen

EPS-машины EPS-машины

ЭПП-машины ЭПП-машины� بي يو

ETPU maşınları ETPU maşınları

ETPUマシン ETPUマシン

ETPU 기계 ETPU 기계

Gefällt mir
Screenshot 2025-02-18 at 11.56.31 AM.png
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Twitter Icon
  • Black YouTube Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon

Staff

Editor in Chief: Kaia Mann
kaiacolleenmann@gmail.com

Managing Editor: Astrid Cortez
astrid.corte921@gmail.com

Photo Editor: Taylor Cowhey
TaylorCowhey@outlook.com

Online Editor: Daimler Koch
daimlermkoch@gmail.com

Advisers

Professor William Dauber
dauberwj@lavc.edu

Professor Brian Paumier 
paumiebj@lavc.edu

Mission Statement

THE VALLEY STAR News is the independent student media outlet of Los Angeles Valley College. The Valley Star News is a website (including its social media platforms), a general-circulation broadsheet, and a magazine (The Crown) that serves as a laboratory for the journalism/photography programs and a bulletin board for the campus community. It is subject to the protections and limitations of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The highest standards of responsible and ethical journalism always apply, as do the libel laws of the land.

The Star News is first and foremost a campus media outlet. This must be reflected as much as possible in its coverage. Its mandate is to represent and inform the student body of Valley College. It reflects the interests of that community in all areas – campus news, current events, politics, sports, arts, entertainment, and more.

bottom of page