I don't know whether I think he should be offered the waiver or not. My parents worked really hard to get here-- to get me here, and I don't see why someone should be allowed to skip the entire process just because of some good grades and an Oxford opportunity. I was fortunate enough to have just been born when I was brought to the United States, but my mother had to go through a lot to get here. My father came about a decade before she did; he went to the D.R. to see her a few months every year, and came back to work. Throughout that time, he was trying to get my mother here... he was working hard to support her and their future family together.
I am very proud of him and applaud him for his excellent work and his honesty. I'm sure there are many other students in similar situations-- brilliant illegal immigrants, but afraid to speak up... in fact, I've actually noticed that a good majority of the illegal immigrants I know are more diligent AND smarter than others who don't have as many troubles to deal with.
I want him to be able to take advantage of the opportunity, but I feel that all of the other illegal immigrants should get waivers as well. Just because he got an Oxford opportunity doesn't mean the government has to put him on a pedestal. I'm assuming that he has U.S. opportunities as well- presumably some at the ivys for grad school, so he could do those and not complain.
I don't understand why I should support him, but I also don't see why I shouldn't. There are plenty of Dominican illegal immigrants, many of whom are very, very intelligent. They just make sure they remain under the radar, so that they never get in trouble. I'm Dominican (though not illegal), I go to an elite college, and I know A LOT of illegal immigrants who are graduating, but none of them applied for graduate schools/opportunities outside of the country. Some did and are not asking for the attention to be given to them... I'm glad that this student is making the most of his opportunity, but would it really be fair?
