Every kid has an answer for the question, ``What do you want to be when you grow up?''
Some respond with a doctor, lawyer or teacher.
But many of those dreams require a college degree. And paying for such a degree is nearly impossible for many undocumented students who don't qualify for in-state tuition at many U.S. state colleges or universities.
But change began sweeping across the country in 2001 when Texas enacted a law allowing undocumented immigrants' children to pay the in-state college tuition rate.
There are still 40 states without such laws - something some federal lawmakers want to change.
Both houses of Congress have proposed a bill addressing the issue. The American Dream Act in the U.S. House of Representatives awaits another round of votes. In the Senate, the bill is called the DREAM Act - Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.
Republican Rep. Tom Osborne co-sponsored the American Dream Act. The acts are almost identical, he said, because they encourage states to offer in-state tuition and put certain immigrants who were raised in the U.S. on the path to citizenship.
Students who entered the U.S. before they were 16 years old would be considered for permanent residency status if they have lived in the country for five years, have good moral character and obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Instead of limiting debate to policies and procedures, lawmakers should think of the people that could be helped by the law, said Romulo Vega Jr., a junior University of Nebraska-Lincoln film studies major.
Growing up in Kearney, some of Vega's friends and acquaintances tried dealing with the out-of-state tuition rates slapped on students without permanent residency. In almost all of those cases, no one went to college.
Not all of them gave up easily, and one of his friends considered moving back to her home country to enroll in a school there. Then she hoped to transfer to the U.S. as an international student, Vega said.
``Obviously that wouldn't be an easy plan or much cheaper than school,'' he said.
But many lawmakers are considering high-achieving students like Vega's friends when drafting or sponsoring the legislation.
Osborne said the country would benefit from the number of students attending colleges because many job positions will need to be filled as baby boomers retire.
``I don't think the children should be punished for what their parents did,'' Osborne said. ``Children have the right to follow the best road that will lead to a better life, which is education.''
But some lawmakers think the dream acts skipped a few legislative steps.
David DiMartino, speaking on behalf of Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, said Nelson believes border security should be the first step in addressing immigration issues. Illegal immigration, DiMartino said, is a problem that needs to be solved.
Once the border between the U.S. and Mexico is secure, DiMartino said, Nelson would then likely propose or vote for legislation - like the DREAM Act - to assist undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
But Osborne said change has to happen now.
Nebraska is moving in the right direction, he said, because state senators passed a bill allowing students to pay in-state tuition.
``It's a good signal for our government,'' he said.
Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed the bill in early April, but state senators overrode the veto with a 30-16 vote.
Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln sponsored the bill and saw it through passage.
``It's a symbolic move for Nebraska,'' Schimek said. ``It tells the students that we like them and want to see them succeed and stay in Nebraska.''Isabel Diedrichs, a UNL senior lecturer in Spanish, said it would be best to offer in-state tuition rates to students who have gone through a legalization or citizenship process.
If undocumented immigrants were legalized, she said, they would feel more a part of the community and not have to stay in the background.
``I have nothing against Hispanics; my ethnic group is Hispanic,'' said Diedrichs, a native of Ecuador. ``It would just be best to get the `illegal category' erased.''
When the Nebraska law goes into effect in January, Schimek said all students graduating from Nebraska high schools can attend state universities and colleges, paying the in-state tuition rate.
``I am convinced this is the right thing to do,'' she said. ``And I hope it happens in other states.''
