Paul Boyer and Reyna Montoya
opinion contributors
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Graduations are filled with joy, accomplishment and possibilities. As many families in Arizona celebrate this momentous milestone, conversely, 2,000 Arizona graduates have uncertainty about their future on this day.
These class of 2021 students have to experience the heartbreak of looking for options beyond Arizona.
Darian is one of these students. He grew up in Arizona undocumented – a “Dreamer” who came to this country as a child without proper documentation – and graduates from Brophy College Prep this May. While he got accepted into multiple colleges, including his top choice, Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, he will instead be attending Harvard University this fall.
Last week, the Arizona House advanced a bill that had previously been stalled that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates pending voter approval. The bill is expected to get a final vote early this week.
The bill s sponsor, state Sen. Paul Boyer, thanked Rep. Michelle Udall for making a motion to force it on the board. Without it, he doesn t think the bill would ve reached this point. She s giving hope to all these students that deserve it, that through no fault of their own were brought here and as far as they re concerned and I m concerned they re American citizens, Boyer said.