Central Teacher Speaks at Immigration Hearing

Hispanic Students Caught in Immigration Debate

On July 6, Central Spanish teacher Ali Traub testified and fielded questions from members of the Missouri House Special Committee on Immigration Reform, chaired by Rep. Ed Emery (R-Lamar). The public forum was held at the Billingsly Student Center at Missouri Southern University. Other representatives attending the hearing were Jerry Nolte (R-Gladstone) and Jerry Dusenberg (R-Blue Springs). Julie McNit sat on the panel as an analyst.

Representative Nolte has co-sponsored a bill that would prohibit undocumented immigrant students from enrolling in any public college or university. Traub argued that the bill would be detrimental to public education and deprive many hard-working, deserving students of a college education.

"Many of these students have had to overcome great hardships to be successful in the classroom, and they deserve a chance to continue their education," Traub told the panel. "Please remember when we say No Child Left Behind, that includes the children who are caught up in the immigration debate."

Traub has been instrumental in establishing several successful programs at Central. The Latino Bulldog club helps student adjust to their new life in the United States, The AYUDA program provides after-school tutoring, and the Hispanic ACT Super Saturday allows students to practice taking the ACT.