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Deyanira's American Dream

Thursday, June 12 2008 | Send to a friend

Deyanira's American Dream

Deyanira Chavez

States are considering various ways to deal with illegal immigrants in higher education. North Carolina has recently instituted one of the toughest policies in the nation: it will no longer allow illegal immigrants to obtain degrees from community colleges.

Deyanira Chavez attends a community college near Asheville, N.C. She  crossed the border illegally with her family when she was 12 and realized immediately that doing well in school was the most important thing she could do to improve her family's way of life. Deyanira was eventually accepted into the architecture program at UNC Charlotte. But as an illegal immigrant, she had to pay out-of-state tuition.

Before long, Deyanira realized she wasn't going to be able to afford it. So she went back home and enrolled at the community college. She talks with Dick Gordon about her dreams for the future and her fears they'll never come true.

• Read about the efforts to get Deyanira back in school
  

COFFEE WITH VIN

Jim Trelease

Jim Trelease wrote in to tell us that he's always been a fan of the Dodgers - the players, the drama of the game, and especially the announcing of Vin Scully. One day, a complete stranger arranged a meeting between Jim and his childhood hero. Jim has never forgotten his meeting with the voice of the Dodgers, or what he learned that day.