Fresno State student body president acknowledges he is an illegal immigrant [Updated]

Pedro Ramirez, Fresno State's student body president, is an undocumented immigrant serving in the position without pay.

Ramirez, 23, attends school on scholarships and pays in-state tuition. California is one of 10 states that permit undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition -- a position that was upheld by the state Supreme Court this week.

After his election last June, he told the administration he would serve without pay -- a $9,000 stipend -- because he could not lie on employment papers. On Tuesday, an anonymous tip to the college newspaper forced Ramirez to go public.

Ramirez, who came to U.S. at the age of 3, said he did not know he was not a citizen until he was a senior in high school. As long as he can remember, he said, his parents -- a maid and a restaurant worker -- have told him he must work hard and achieve the American dream. He said they did not tell him he was not born in this country until he began applying to universities.

"I knew my parents were from Mexico, but a lot of people's parents are from Mexico," he said. "I grew up American."

Other than college counselors and administrators, Ramirez told no one of his status.

"I just kept it within. One of those things you don't tell anyone," he said. "But now I'm almost relieved to have to be open. Congress is about to vote on the Dream Act, which gives college students a path to citizenship. So, you know, here I am. It's me. I am one of the thousands whose fate is in their hands."

Ramirez said he would not resign his position unless the students who elected him demanded it.

The California Supreme Court's unanimous decision on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants is the first of its kind in the nation.

Federal law prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving college benefits based on residency and not provided to all citizens.

However, state officials insist there is no conflict with federal law. Under California's non-resident tuition exemption, known as AB 540 and approved in 2001, public colleges can offer in-state tuition to those who have attended California high schools for at least three years.

Some of those students are illegal immigrants. Others are U.S. citizens who attended high school in California but whose families may now live elsewhere, or those who moved out of the state to study or attended boarding schools in California.

[Updated, 12 p.m.: Fresno State President John D. Welty said in a statement that Ramirez personally notified him after his election about his immigration status and volunteered to serve without pay. Welty said that Ramirez has fulfilled all the requirements of an AB 540 student and that his status does not bar his participation in student affairs.

Associated Students Inc. "requirements do not address immigration status, so Mr. Ramirez was not prohibited from running for ASI office," Welty said in his statement. "I commend Mr. Ramirez and other AB 540 students who are following state statute as they seek higher education.” ]

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in Congress have pledged to vote on the proposed Dream Act before the end of the year. If approved, the legislation would allow students living in the U.S. illegally to earn legal status if they graduate from high school and complete two years in college or the military.

[For the Record, 6:14 p.m.: The headline on an earlier version of this post said Ramirez "refuses to step down." As the post notes, he said he would not resign his position unless the students who elected him demanded it.]

ALSO:

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-- Diana Marcum in Fresno

Photo: Pedro Ramirez. Credit: Pedro Ramirez for ASI President website

Comments

[Isabel]

I don't understand why the headline says he refused to step down when right in the piece it says he didn't want to step down unless the student body wanted him to... it's like the headline is trying to make him look bad.. in the article he's totally sincere about doing the right thing. He even refuses the stipend to make sure he isn't violating the law. For me this person really shows how insane it is not to have some way for people like Pedro Ramirez to legalize his status and get on with his exemplary life!

[West Valley Dave]

Nice racist comment, Daniel.

[smith]

His situation tugs at everyone's decency. This kid is American, not Mexican and we ought to keep him. He's not a line jumper, he was brought here when he was 3 and he's ours, or at least he ought to be. His hard working parents obviously raised him well. I want the border sealed, criminal aliens sent back and remittances taxed. But to send this kid back is sheer foolishness. Whoever outed him should be ashamed of themselves.

[SireneB]

There are many, many children and young adults in this situation. They have the potential to be great contributers to our society, if only they had a path to becoming legal.

[SireneB]

There are many, many children and young adults in this situation. They have the potential to be great contributers to our society, if only they had a path to becoming legal.

[Redrider63]

@daniel. If there is anyone of any race more deserving wouldn't they have been elected to the position? How about someone who was equally qualified but legally in the United States and honest about themesleves being appointmented.

[David_U]

He is not an illegal immigrant, he was brought here and had no choice. He has grown up as an American, has a good record, and is working to become an asset to the community. You detractors of someone who has managed to become a well respected member of his college classmates, are just plain jealous that you do not have his abilities or intelligence. You resent the idea that he will achieve more in life than you ever will. He is the kind of people we need in the country, and you are not.

[prado]

Contributor to society...

[jim]

Well... ice we hear a lot about enforcement of the law, how about sending some agents over and picking this criminal up and deporting him?

[Ninja B]

First off, he was elected and not taking a spot. If the WHITE student was more deserving, he should have won.
And another thing, WHY DOES THE SPOT HAVE TO BE WHITE?

[suecassidy]

I empathize with this young man, this is not his fault and he is trying to do what is right under the unfortunate circumstances that his parents created. However, I am totally against illegals paying instate tuition. For the life of me, I can't understand the logic here. I'm a green card holding, tax paying, job provider in this country and our family complies with all the immigration laws, at great personal expense and often, frustration and aggravation, to ourselves. We pay huge taxes on our income and our businesses, which only employ LEGAL people. We don't whine that we have taxation without representation, it is what we chose. We choose to follow the country's laws, even if they baffle us at times. This is one that truly baffles us. Can someone explain the rationale behind illegals paying in state tuition? I don't have to agree with it, but would like to understand it.

[Be Real]

Please stop commenting on race, when it had nothing to do with his position! He got to the Student Body President seat not because he 'got lucky' or because he took the 'seat' from another student. It takes several hours of non-stop campaing and a lot of students votes for someone to win... but of course, only someone that already went through college and experience the "college life" know the process. EDUCATE yourself no matter where you're from!

[Cyndy Greger]

Wow--so he found out when he was a senior and decided not to start paperwork to become a citizen.

That speaks volumes about his character.

Forget the fact that he is foregoing his stipend...that was done purely for selfish reasons...so he wouldn't be found out. Notice that he had not told people about it unless they were in a position to help him.

I wonder if the #2 vote-getter was American and is pissed off now.

[mary]

I think at the age of 3 this guy didn't have a choice, but to go where his parents took him. Why should he be punished for his parents' crimes? He is only trying to better himself, by being proactive. He's not doing it on government aid. The article specifically stated he received scholarships which are not government funded. I do however believe that he knew of his status at an earlier age than he says, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he did not chose to come to the United States. What do people want to deport the guy to a foreign country where he has never lived because that is what it is to him? I say give the parents consequences not the innocent.

[jim]

ICE goes around the country searching for illegles and here we have a prime example as to just why no one has any respect for our laws. ICE needs to go over and arrest and deport this persn immediately.

[kens]

He's a Criminal and a Thief. As a U.S. CITIZEN, I DEMAND he be prosecuted and forced to pay restitution for the $s he defrauded from the U.S. The message to Foreign Students is to forget the legal way, jump the border and get the Criminal Student Discount.

[Steven M.]

I wonder how many American Citizens and lawful residents were displaced to allow this clown to go to college on the taxpayer dollar?

No to the DREAM Act. The path to citizenship for these people is something called an I-94 Visa.

I accuse Fresno State President John D. Welty of knwoingly harboring an illegal alien and I'd appreciate it if the folks at DHS / ICE would get off their butts and pick these people up, today!!!

[Peter Paik]

Dream Act entails yet another policy by your congress to show yet another prime example of financial irresponsibility. Let's first address the core issue. Whether he is illegal is not the main issue. It's whether he along with his parents have paid their taxes faithfully. Don't get me wrong, but illegal immigrants do not pay taxes and worse, exploit the weakness of our system to their benefits. They utilize our medical insurance, food stamps, welfare, and worse, fraudulent identities (not applicable to all). By allowing the Federal government to intervene and provide a stimulus to non tax payers, if not fraudulent tax payers, is just wrong. By giving illegal immigrants a check for being non-compliant, would set the wrong precedent. It would imply as long as you live hidden under the veil, the Government will look the other way and award you financial aid. Am I missing something here? Something to think about. First off, how is he funding his college tuition? (Note, it is not a full scholarship. And determine who is awarding the scholarships for non-compliance. I presume it is a political group.) Secondly, does and/or did he pay taxes? (Not all scholarships are tax-free. Determine where he used the proceeds.) Third, do his parents pay taxes? Last but not least, someone who is politically astute and is the president of his student body to claim that he did not know that he was an illegal immigrant? I wonder... Congressmen, if you read this concern, I hope you could address these issues.

[Jose for Equal Treatment and Responsibility]

The story states "Ramirez, 23, attends school on scholarships and pays in-state tuition." However, it does not state how did he qualify for the scholarships. California has hundreds of US born students, who have good grades and score well on their SAT's, but are not able to get into universities because of not enough spaces. I think the system is unfair when undocumented students are able to get in. My niece and several of her friends who graduated this past June 2010 did not get admitted to a university, while they all had good grades. They are having to go the route of community colleges to continue their education. At these community colleges, not enough classes are offered to meet the demand. So instead of taking the usual 2 years to complete, it now takes 3-4 years. I oppose the Dream Act. I think it is a question about fairness and priority should be given to US born students. I feel bad for the undocumented students, but the responsibility belongs to their parents who decided to break the law.

How did is it the undocumented students are being allowed to enroll in universities and getting scholarships?

[woof-woof]

I understand not wanting to incentivize law-breaking, but do we really want to punish the children for the sins of their parents?

[fran]

Just to clear a few things up for y'all who are getting your terms all mixed up.

1) an undocumented individual DOES NOT qualify for government provided financial aid... you need an SSN

2) the article clearly states he is on SCHOLARSHIP. government aid is NOT a scholarship, rather a grant (free money) or loan (subsidized or unsubsidized interest while you're in school). his scholarship very likely comes from private money as do most merit based scholarships

3) if you're baffled by the idea that an undocumented individual is getting in-state tuition in the state he resides it's not at all hard to understand. state residency requires 1-3 yrs of living in a state... universities use it as a means to gauge how many students they are pulling out of the state's own education system. obviously, these students have all lived and gone to school in said state most of there lives. why should they pay 30,000/yr instead of 8,000 as everyone else.

also, the not paying taxes argument is false. most undocumented workers provide fake SSNs to work. this benefits the treasury and not them. federal taxes are applied to their salaries and they are unable to collect any refund for extra taxes taken by the government. they pay more taxes than most of legal citizens on a per capita basis, plain and simple.

[rjc116]

He said he's glad that the truth has finally come out. I'm glad that he admitted that fact because at least he's intelligent enough to realize that at some point in order to have a real future he has to become a citizen.

[C.D. Stratton]

He didn't know he wasn't a citizen until he was a senior in high school. So, as a senior in high school in the 21st Century he didn't have a social secuirty card. Did he have any employment as a high school student? If he was employed, was he hired and paid without proper documentation - like his parents? Definitely some missing information.

[Tom]

No matter what anyone says education is one thing they cannot take away from you. All my support will go to Pedro Ramirez for all these years of hard work and learning, which is not done. DREAM ACT EVERYONE!! MEET YOUR NEW BESTFRIEND!!

[Cloud]

I am convinced that most people only read the headline. His parents brought him here when he was THREE YEARS OLD. He didn't even find out he wasn't an American citizen until he applied for college. Of course he should not step down.