Education for the undocumented

Portland State student organizations Las Mujeres and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A) will host a free screening of the documentary Papers in the Multicultural Center, located on the second floor of the Smith Memorial Student Union, next Monday at 6 p.m.

The film, directed by Anne Galisky, covers the plight of foreign-born children raised in the United States who have not attained legal status, or “papers,” by their 18th birthday, limiting their options and ultimately their futures.

M.E.Ch.A’s Matt Blasa noted the importance of acknowledging the broad racial spectrum of this issue, and hopes the film will further illuminate this for audience members. 

“It’s a lot bigger struggle than people think it is,” Blasa said. “We wanted to show that it’s not just a political issue but a human issue as well.” 

When asked whether or not any student, regardless of ethnicity or circumstance, could relate to the subjects in Papers, Blasa explained that undocumented high school graduates face obstacles involving their interest in higher education.

In contrast to the difficulties other students might face, according to Blasa, undocumented students face the possibility of having their grades withheld as a result of their status.

Moreover, Blasa confirmed that many prospective students in that position, upon acceptance to a college or university, have no means to pay for their tuition and expenses. Scholarships may not be applicable, such students cannot pursue or gain any government financial aid and some schools even apply the international student cost to students in this situation, Blasa noted.

Exposing the struggle they have to go through just to go to school is a primary goal of the film, according to Blasa.

Attendance at the screening is free, but seating is limited.