Dreamin’ Green

USD’s School of Law introduces a new scholarship for dreamers

Amy Inkrott/News Editor/The USD Vista

Joshua Strange/Asst. News Editor/The USD Vista

Changemakers led the way at the University of San Diego as supporters of equality scored another victory. Undocumented immigrants saw some forward momentum as a recent scholarship was funded to give them equal access to higher education. 

With the help of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, qualified individuals have the opportunity to further their education. The University of San Diego School of Law, with the backing of several donors, including local attorney and USD class ‘89 alum John Gomez, established a scholarship to help undocumented students afford law school. 

The DACA program was initiated by President Barack Obama in 2012 when he requested that the Department of Homeland Security grant deferred action to qualified immigrant youth, or “dreamers.” Through the program, individuals who were brought to the United States illegally as children have the opportunity to remain in the U.S. to attend school and obtain work permits for a period of two years, subject to renewal. 

Gomez is supportive of the DACA program.

“Kids can spend their whole lives here and they’re no different than any other kid,” Gomez said. “They just happened by circumstance to be born three miles south of the line, are we really going to penalize them, marginalize them, or eliminate all possibilities they have for success in our country because of that?” 

Through this scholarship, Gomez serves as a Changemaker within the USD community and is able to give back to his hispanic heritage. 

Although deferred action is used to prevent removal action against an individual, the program does not provide individuals with lawful status. Dreamers are continually forced to renew their status within the program, often with high monetary costs involved. This, coupled with other expenses, makes higher education less accessible to DACA students. When presented with the chance to start a scholarship for dreamers at the USD law school, Gomez jumped at the opportunity.

“I have a passion for equal access and dignity for all people,” Gomez said. “I just really disdain unfair treatment, bullying, and exclusion of any kind.”  

Junior Nick Weber was proud of USD’s commitment to social justice.

 “I think that this scholarship is providing DACA students with a great opportunity to get an education that they would not have otherwise,” Weber said. “I am very proud that we have alumni here at USD that would do such a thing and create these opportunities for people to thrive. Changemaking and inclusivity are huge morals I live by and they’re big reasons why I came to this school and seeing them play out here honestly makes me feel good about my decision.”

However, the Trump administration is looking to take legal action against DACA, questioning the validity of the program and putting pressure on schools like USD to conform to the country’s immigration policies. USD’s standard of inclusivity remains committed to providing students support in order to give equal opportunity to everyone. 

In response to President Trump’s comments during the 2016 election, members of the USD community formed a task force with the goal of protecting the school’s dreamers. The task force compiled a list of resources available to these individuals. While not officially describing USD as a sanctuary school, the task force chose to implement a series of protections for the community’s dreamer students. Sanctuary schools, like USD, do not require students to report their immigration status and do not assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Throughout his time with the task force, USD School of Law’s Dean Stephen Ferruolo recognized the lack of access to federal financial aid for DACA students. Because of this, Ferruolo emphasized the community’s need for a DACA scholarship.

“It is an expression that the community really cares and that there are people who want to support them,” Ferruolo said. “This scholarship is an important step in a process that’s ongoing. These are people in need. And we are taking care of the ones in our community who are most vulnerable.”

These undocumented immigrants face challenges not only in obtaining funds for school but also in getting jobs and supporting their families. Ferruolo hopes that this scholarship will enable dreamers to get an education and eventually give back to their community.

 Sophomore Dave Cardali has had aspirations to practice law since he was in second grade and is excited about USD’s commitment to equal opportunity. 

“Not everybody has the opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to have in my life,” Cardali said. “I am very empathetic toward those who grew up less fortunate because of that. I have always been someone who tries to give back to people and spread good vibes. I think that the scholarship is very inspirational and we should definitely support it.” 

Although the future of DACA in the U.S. is uncertain, the USD law school remains committed to supporting its dreamer students.