Hundreds of undocumented students in the U.S. have just been granted scholarships through a program aimed at rewarding high-achieving students that came to the country as “Dreamers”—children who reside in the U.S. without documentation.
Yet, despite being recognized as some of the highest-performing pupils in the country, the majority of students receiving a scholarship through TheDream.US program for the 2020-2021 year have been unable to obtain protected status through the U.S.’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows Dreamers to live, study and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
According to data shared exclusively with Newsweek, of the roughly 1,200 students receiving TheDream.US scholarships for the 2020-21 year, just over a third have been able to obtain DACA status. This represents a significant decline from last year.
About TheDream.US
TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college access and success program for immigrant youth, having provided more than 5,000 college scholarships to DREAMers at more than 70 partner colleges in 16 states and Washington, DC. We believe that all young Americans, regardless of where they were born, should have the opportunity to get a college education and pursue a meaningful career that contributes to our country’s prosperity.