There seems to be a never-ending stream of heart-breaking stories these days about the plight of undocumented students. In Texas, the big story has been about Saad Nabeel, who was brought to the United States at a young age by his family and – though he was enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington and received admission to Southern Methodist University – was deported to Bangladesh in April. Today came the news that his visa application had been denied.
The DREAM Act would create a path for students like Saad to legally pursue educational and career opportunities in the United States , but until Congress acts, many students like him are trapped, living in fear and unable to carry on with their lives. They need what's called “deferred action” – a status the federal government can grant to halt deportation, based on the merits of an individual's case. Right now the Department of Homeland Security grants this on an ad hoc basis.