Thousands of undocumented immigrants live in the Chicago area; more than 10 million nationwide. Their stories remain mostly untold, out of fear of deportation. But Reyna Wences and her family have decided to share theirs.
Reyna came to Chicago in 2000 when she was just 9 years old, along with her mother and younger brother. Now, at age 19, Reyna is part of a growing group of undocumented youth locked between two worlds – her current life established, yet officially unrecognized even after years of living in America; and the life she barely remembers, growing up in Mexico.
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Reyna graduated from elementary and high school with honors. She recently completed her first year of studies at UIC. University professors helped raise money for her tuition, and along with money Reyna and her mother had been able to save, she made it through freshman year. UIC does not ask students about their immigration status. Despite that, it is unlikely Reyna will be able to afford to continue at UIC in the fall.
The State Senate recently passed the Illinois Dream Act. The bill, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton, would establish a private fund to create scholarships for the undocumented. And while House Speaker Michael Madigan says he supports the legislation, State Representative Randy Ramey says he doesn’t believe the bill has enough votes to pass the Illinois House.
Chicago Tonight Producer Nick Shields spoke with Reyna Wences here, and also traveled to Mexico to talk with her family. Watch WTTW11 at 7:00 pm for the full story.
And we want to know what you think. Should the children of undocumented immigrants be given a path to U.S. citizenship? Post your comments below or sound off on our discussion board.
Absolutely. If you were in that situation, what answer would you want to receive?
If I was in that position, of course my answer would be ‘yes!’. But, that would still not make it right. Illegal is illegal. Why are we afraid to accept/say that?
Reyna is hardly the victim here as portrayed in the story. Her parents made the conscious decision to break the family when they came here illegally. The rest of the family is doing well. Reyna and her parents have that option to return to Mexico and readjust.
This is criminally insane! We have to ask ourselves” What is Cullerton doing about establishing private funds for legal citizens’ children who cannot afford college?
I am outraged that Chicago Tonight presents this sympathy piece to legitimatize ILLEGAL aliens. I saw no evidence, no religious or political persecution of any kind, as a reason why this person should demand US citizenship.Her family in Mexico actually appeared to be fairly well off. One wonders how she was able to attend Walter Payton H.S. a school having many requirements to enroll. Has anyone asked what Mexico is doing to make life better for her citizens besides giving them a map with directions to the U.S?Her mother made a conscious and well thought-out decision to enter illegally.This person should take her mother to task for placing her in this predicament and the city, state or country should not condone or legitimatize her actions.
[...] i recently posted a comment on the Chicago Tonight story on a friend of mine. The question asked was whether undocumented youth should be given a pathway to citizenship. The link to the story is From Mexico to Chicago: An Undocumented Teen’s Story [...]
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