Arrest of Dreamers Highlights Plight of Undocumented Students

Gaby PachecoThe detention of Dreamers has intensified the spotlight on immigration issues in higher education. The Change.org petition “Free Scholar Caroline Dias Goncalves from ICE Detention” has received over 7,000 signatures. A 19-year-old nursing student at the University of Utah with no criminal record, Goncalves was stopped by a Mesa County (Colo.) Sheriff’s Office deputy on June 5 and released with a warning after driving too close to a semitruck. Minutes later she was pulled over, arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and brought to an immigration detention center. After a bond hearing on June 18, she was expected to be released.

The term Dreamers refers to undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children. Goncalves has been in the U.S. since 2012. News reports have indicated that she was targeted by ICE after information about the traffic stop was sent by the deputy to a communication group related to drug enforcement. He was unaware the information would be used in other ways.

Diego N. SánchezGoncalves’ situation and those of other Dreamers has brought to light their vulnerability, particularly as they pursue higher education.

“What we’re seeing is the casting of a wide net by the administration with no regard to not just due process but also discretion on individuals and people who shouldn’t be party for deportation and for cases like our scholar Caroline,” said Gaby Pacheco, president and CEO of TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented immigrant students with students in over 40 states. Goncalves is a TheDream.US scholar.

Pacheco noted that Goncalves is in an active immigration process — news reports indicate the family has a pending asylum application — and she has work authorization and a valid driver’s license. Goncalves recently applied to have her scholarship renewed for the next school year.

For higher education, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and the Higher Ed Immigration Portal have extensive information on immigration matters.

Dr. Philip Kasinitz“One of the things that institutions can be doing is ensuring that students not only know their rights but also feel safe and have plans in place,” said Pacheco.