Terp, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Major, and Undocumented

Clark School Department of Chemical and Biomolecular (ChBE) major Jorge Steven Acuña was one of the students who shared his story in the Winter 2015 issue of TERP, the University of Maryland’s alumni magazine.

“New Relief, Persistent Anxiety for Undocumented Students at UMD,” by Karen Shih describes how Acuña’s family sought asylum in the U.S. after receiving death threats in their native Columbia, but were arrested and almost deported 11 years later while he was working toward his B.S. in chemical engineering. Thanks to the support of their friends and media attention, the deportation proceedings were halted and the Acuñas were released.

The article discusses how the Maryland Dream Act, which allows certain undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, has helped Acuña and other undocumented UMD students stay in school, and has given students in similar situations a chance to pursue higher education.

Read the story online »

Published March 2, 2015