HOLLYWOOD – Martha Malendrez wanted to attend Cal State Long Beach in the fall. Fresh out of Los Angeles High School, her 3.76 GPA made her a likely candidate for admission to The Beach. Her goal was to major in liberal studies major and eventually become a counselor.
But even though she had hoped to attend CSULB, she had to settle for Cal State Los Angeles instead. Distance, however, was not the only thing preventing her from attending CSULB.
Because Malendrez is an AB 540 student (undocumented student who can’t legally work in the country), she couldn’t afford the $55 fee required to process her admissions application.
Even though she has spent almost all of her life in the United States, Malendrez is still legally considered as an undocumented immigrant. Because of current immigration laws, Malendrez and her family have not been able to change their legal status in the country.
“I know that CSULB is recognized for its liberal studies program,” Malendrez said, as she joined students from other campuses during Sunday’s immigration rally in the heart of Hollywood. “I really wanted to be there, but I just couldn’t afford to pay for two applications.”
AB 540 students like her are clinging onto the hopes offered within the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM Act. If passed, students who qualify, like Malendrez, would have a chance to receive financial aid in order to pursue the world of higher education and a possible path to citizenship. Citizenship would allow her to use her college degree, which is otherwise useless without a permit to legally work in the United States.
The march attracted an estimated 8,000 participants, according to the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) coalition’s organizer Ian Thompson. Participants pushed for the support of the DREAM Act.
“Traditionally, immigration rallies have been kept in downtown,” said Thompson. “Hollywood has never seen these types of events. This shows that immigrants who work all over the place should also be able to march wherever they want.”
Students dressed in cap and gowns marched along Hollywood Boulevard, taking a few detours on Cahuenga Boulevard and then back onto Hollywood Boulevard.
Participants were met at the corner of Hollywood and Vine by Los Angeles Police Department officers, who passed out flyers with a message of encouragement.
“We’re welcoming them and we want to show our support,” said LAPD Sgt. Jeff Weinninger as he shook hands with participants and informed others of the event. “We want to offer a fostering environment and encouragement.”
The flyers informed attendees that “the LAPD is committed to working in cooperation with the event organizers to protect your right to free speech.”
On the corner of Sunset and Cahuenga boulevards, near the CNN building, LAPD Chief William Bratton also shook hands with marchers.
The rally culminated in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, where participants were heard a free concert from regional Mexican music star and Long Beach native Jenny Rivera and the popular Spanish hip-hop duo Akwid, among others.
“I’m sure that there will be change,” said KBUE 105.5 FM’s program director Pepe Garza. “Students shouldn’t give up on their dreams.”
“I think that the problem is that there is almost no relief,” said National Lawyers Guild (Los Angeles Chapter) Executive Director James Lafferty. “Students should contact an attorney before even thinking about contacting any Immigration and Customs Enforcement authority. They need to learn about their own case before anything else.”
Lafferty took the stage and offered a few hopeful words to the crowd, which was still cheerful after the long walk.
“We deserve the chance to go to college,” Malendrez said as she and the students with the cap and gowns were asked to pose for different cameras. “I want to be a counselor and encourage other students to go to college.”
