Immigrants make plea for college access

Three Providence youths testify in support of a bill that would allow students who are undocumented immigrants to attend the state's public colleges.

05/30/2003 BY MARION DAVIS The Providence Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- Liseth Rincon graduated from Central High School last year with a 4.0 grade-point average. She had been active in extracurricular activities. Getting into college should have been a breeze.

But Rincon, 18, was born in Venezuela. She came here with her family three years ago, and she has no green card, no Social Security number.

She found out in her senior year what that meant for her dreams.

No state or federal financial aid -- so forget private colleges. Out-of-state tuition at the University of Rhode Island, well beyond her reach. And exclusion from the schools she might be able to afford, Rhode Island College or the Community College of Rhode Island.

Each year, as many as 50,000 to 75,000 students like Rincon graduate from the nation's public schools, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized their right to a K-12 education, but through a combination of federal law and local policies, their journey often