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Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

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August 8, 2011
Judge Tom
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2

Pulitzer Prize winner supports Dream Act

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When Jose Vargas was 12 years-old, his mother in the Philippines sent him to live with his grandparents in California. It wasn’t until Jose was 16 years-old and applied for a driver’s license that he discovered his illegal status as an undocumented immigrant.

Jose did well in school and earned the trust of his principal and district superintendent. Together they mentored Jose and found a scholarship fund for high-achieving students. Upon graduation from San Francisco State University, he interned at several newspapers including the Washington Post.

Jose’s status was kept a secret for almost 20 years. In 2008, he won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007.* When Jose left the Washington Post, he decided to go public with his secret. In a New York Times Magazine essay, he wrote “I’m done running. I’m exhausted . . .I don’t want that life anymore.” Read Jose’s article and amazing story here.

Jose Vargas

Jose now plans to push Congress to pass the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) whereby people like him who either go to college or serve in the military, may apply for full U.S. citizenship. Consider the case of Angelica Hernandez who graduated from Arizona State University in May, 2011 with high honors and a degree in mechanical  engineering. She was the class valedictorian and came out as an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. She is an admitted ‘Dreamer’ who looks to the future and becoming an American citizen.

Several states have passed legislation requiring schools to report the immigration status of students. Legal challenges are underway and the U.S. Department of Education and Justice Department issued a joint letter reminding school districts that they are required to provide all children equal access to public education. The 1982 U.S. Supreme court case Plyer v. Doe* held that undocumented students have a constitutional right to attend public elementary and secondary school for free.

*472 U.S. 202 (1982) For a review of the Plyer decision and its legal impact on school districts, click here.

Find out more about the Dream Act.

Watch the video below for comments from Angelica at her graduation in 2011 from Arizona State University.

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Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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2 Comments

  • Tulsa Divorce Attorney
    August 16, 2011 3:38 pm count( 0 )

    If they serve in our military, then their application for citizenship should be taken more seriously.