Are Undocumented College Graduates a Wasted Resource?

The United States is wasting a valuable resource by making it as difficult as possible for skilled, undocumented workers to hold jobs.

“Brain drain” is a phenomenon in which the best-trained individuals flee the society where they originated to escape poor conditions or to seek better ones. In the contemporary world, the term is most frequently associated with well-educated individuals fleeing the developing world instead of staying to contribute.

But by failing to provide a path to citizenship for well-prepared young immigrants, the United States risks losing the most highly-trained, valuable members of the undocumented population—either to another workforce, or to unskilled work or unemployment here at home.

A new rule approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires institutions to send annual reminders encouraging undocumented students receiving in-state tuition to apply for permanent residency status. But undocumented students who were brought to the country as children have little chance of gaining residency under the current system.

Those who made a point to pursue a college degree in spite of the fact that current law forbids them from working in a skilled sector are clearly among the most talented and motivated. Neglecting that group is a loss, especially in the face of contemporary higher education attrition in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In his most recent State of the Union address, President Obama called for new rules that would allow talented undocumented youth to fulfill their potential.

“If election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country,” Obama said. “Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away.”

Obama directed the comments at Congress because there is a clear legislative answer to the problem. The DREAM Act would provide a path to citizenship through education or military service for individuals who grew up in the United States but are not documented residents.

The DREAM Act wouldn't just save a valuable work sector. It would also be a humane measure that gives all undocumented young people a dignified, gainful course of action to achieve citizenship.

Jon Christian is a staff writer with Campus Progress. Follow him on Twitter @Jon_Christian.

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