MCKINNEY (WBAP/KLIF News) – The valedictorian at McKinney Boyd High School dropped a bombshell in front of thousands of people at a graduation ceremony this week.
Larissa Martinez announced during her commencement address that she’s an illegal immigrant. “I’m one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows of the United States,” she told the crowd. “People who have become part of the American society and way of life and who yearn to make America great again without the constriction of a wall built on hatred and prejudice.
Martinez said she and her family left Mexico in 2010. They arrived in the US on tourist visas.
Martinez graduated with a 4.95 GPA and has accepted a full scholarship to Yale University. She wants to become a neurosurgeon.
Martinez got a standing ovation when she talked about how proud she is to be in America and prove so many people wrong. “”They told me I couldn’t, so I did,” she said.
A valedictorian from Austin sparked a social media firestorm after she tweeted that she will be attending the University of Texas-Austin with a full scholarship and that she is undocumented.
Mayte Lara Ibarra mentioned her 4.5 GPA, her 13 cords and medals and her immigration status. “With all ends come new beginnings,” said Ibarra during her graduation ceremony on June 3. “It is our opportunity to learn, grow and discover like never before. Look forward with excitement to what lies ahead.”
Her Twitter account has since been deleted.
The fact that Ibarra and Martinez publicly admitted to being undocumented will not compromise their offers of full tuition. They are legally entitled to attend the universities despite being undocumented. Texas House Bill 1403 passed in 2001 enabled students, including those who were undocumented, to qualify as residents and pay in-state tuition for colleges and universities. Texas residents are also eligible to receive state financial aid. To qualify, a student must: Reside in Texas with a parent or legal guardian while attending high school in Texas; Graduate from a public or private high school or receive a GED in Texas; Reside in Texas for at least the 3 years leading up to high school graduation or receiving a GED; Reside in Texas for the 12 consecutive months right before the semester the student is enrolling in college; and Provide the institution an affidavit indicating an intent to apply for permanent resident status as soon as able to do so.
Texas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Washington have passed legislation allowing undocumented graduates the opportunity to pursue degrees.
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