J. Mendoza* seems like any regular WSU student.

The sophomore management information systems major is involved in multiple student groups, a fraternity and has big aspirations, including attending an Ivy League school.

But Mendoza – whose family immigrated to the U.S. illegally from Jalisco, Mexico, when he was four years old – has no social security number. He is an undocumented student, or 1079 student as it is known in Washington state, in reference to the House of Representatives bill passed in 2003 allowing children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition.

At WSU, he only speaks about being a 1079 student to his closest friends, because he knows his legal status is in jeopardy.

“1079 students do not have rights,” he said. “They are taken away – stripped.” Mendoza, 20, is among a handful of WSU students eligible for conditional legal status and eventual citizenship if the federal DREAM Act, which is being examined by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, is passed. Mendoza would become eligible under the act because of his position as a college student.

“I want to come out of the shadows,” he said. “I can contribute to this country.” Mendoza migrated throughout Eastern Washington as a child, along with his mother, three sisters and brother. His mother was paid under the table in various agriculture jobs in Yakima and the Tri-Cities.

Mendoza was inspired to attend college by his older sister, E. Mendoza,* a senior international studies major at Gonzaga University.

She said that as a woman, her fear of deportation was always greater than Mendoza’s, prompting a strong academic ethic that rubbed off on him.

“I was always the one more vocal about it,” she said.

J. Mendoza applied to WSU, Gonzaga, Seattle University and Harvard. Ineligible for federal financial aid, he eventually received funding from an agricultural company in the Tri-Cities for his entire WSU education.

Mendoza said many potential 1079 students are destined to lives in low-wage agricultural work because the lack of financial aid scares them away from college. He said many scholarships exist for determined students who don’t require a social security number.

“If you really want it bad enough, you will do anything to get that money,” he said.

Though he said he rarely felt concerned about his status growing up, Mendoza is worried about his future.

He is in the process of applying to Ivy League schools, including Yale, Brown, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania. He was recently interviewed in Spokane by a few people from Cornell, who Mendoza said didn’t ask him about his background.

Mendoza never returned to Mexico since coming to the U.S. As an undocumented student, he is restricted from traveling anywhere outside the U.S.

“It hurts that I can’t step a foot out of this country,” he said.

With President Barack Obama’s recent announcements in favor of immigration reform, Mendoza is confident the federal DREAM Act will pass this year.

Mendoza, who aspires to attend law school and start his own business, said if the DREAM Act doesn’t pass, he will have to explore all options, including searching for a U.S. job that doesn’t care about his status – or heading back to Mexico.

E. Mendoza said she tries not to be too optimistic regarding the DREAM Act, because its potential has let her down before. She said that whether she works in the U.S. or Mexico, she plans to work in organizations that promote social justice.

“Once I get the education, I don’t feel like anyone can take that away from me,” she said.

Mendoza said 1079 students and their families contribute more to the U.S. economy than many realize.

He said a misconception exists that illegal immigrants are tax exempt because they all have a number with the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS form does not require a social security number.

“I get aggravated when people say we don’t pay taxes,” he said. “We all pay taxes.” Mendoza said most 1079 students have lofty goals and strong work ethics, traits that stem from the fear of potential deportation.

“Those who say illegal immigrants will take their jobs are afraid of competition,” he said. “We are a capitalistic country.” * The sources’ names have been changed to protect their identity.