Migrant Education Program students get civics lesson

More than 50 students in Colorado Department of Education’s Migrant Education Program participated in the first MEP State Government Class at CDE, the State Capitol and the Colorado Supreme Court before traveling to Washington, D.C, to participate in the Close Up’s New Americans High School Program to learn about our nation’s government.

The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program that provides supplemental support to eligible migrant children and youth.  A total of 54 MEP students participated in the Foundation of Civics Course (.5 credit) and came to Denver on a weekend in April to visit the three state buildings and meet with state office leaders, including Rep. Lorena Garcia, School Board Members Lisa Escárcega, Rebecca McClellan, and Kathy Plomer, and Supreme Court Justice Fox.

At every branch of government, MEP students heard from a leader with a migrant background. They also toured the Colorado History Museum with Angel Vigil, author of six award-winning books on Hispanic and Western Arts and Culture, Colorado State Heritage Artist for Hispanic Storytelling, and 1950s El Movimiento leader. There is a permanent El Movimiento exhibit at the museum.

The impact of meeting legislators and justices who grew up as highly mobile agriculture workers is uplifting, said Manuel Calderon, Migrant Education Program regional director for the southeast area.

“It’s amazing to see these kids come out of this,” he said. “These are truly life-changing events for these kids.”

Students are eligible for participation in the Migrant Education Program who have moved within the past three years across school district or state lines to join a migrant parent or guardian who has obtained qualifying temporary or seasonal employment in agriculture, fishing or dairy. 

After visiting the Colorado legislature and learning how laws are made, Marie Jose Jaquez, a 17-year-old junior at Poudre High School, was impressed to learn how legislation goes through many iterations.

“It’s not just one person’s voice but everyone is working together to get an agreement,” she said.

The Migrant Education Program has shown Maria that she is not alone.

“There are other kids like me who are bilingual and who struggle like I do – a child of two immigrant agricultural workers who migrated from Mexico in 1998 to provide a better life for me and my brothers,” she said. “My parents are really proud that I am doing this. They risked everything for me to come over and get us a better education and life.”

For Ali Fatehy, an 18-year-old senior from Grand Junction High School who is from Afghanistan, learning about America has been eye opening.

“We came here for the safety issues and freedom of speech,” he said. “I enjoy getting to know more about the government and the country. … I feel better here. Safety is the most important part. It’s really cool to have the freedom to enjoy your life here.”