The Baker

Today I found Chino. Or Chino found me.
He was neatly dressed with a crisp blue shirt, vest, slacks and shiny black shoes. Polite, assertive and inquisitive. He had all the necessary documentation to demonstrate his presence in the USA since his arrival in a neatly organized binder.  He had done a better job collecting info than most applicants, yet his school records were missing.
He works as a baker all night. Since he came to the USA at age 15 he has been his family's breadwinner. His English is limited and needs to access GED in Spanish classes urgently. Here is one of the few available GED classes in Spanish  in the Phoenix Metro area.. He represents a minority of  DREAM Act youth and for now Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applicants: most potential candidates have gone through the school system and are fluent in English, but not Chino and some few more.
His situation present several challenges.  USCIS produced DACA information in Spanish and this is the link but most of the assumptions is that DACA applicants access the information in English and our volunteer, advocate efforts are focused on English speakers.  We only explain in Spanish for the parents.
In the last 6 months I only heard of 3 cases of immigrant youth that hadn't have instruction in Spanish among the hundreds of young immigrants I come across.  This is not scientific assessment but just  anecdotal.
On cases like Chino's we advocates need to step up to the challenge and provide extra guidance, caring support.
I connected with him through e-mail.  Thankfully he is not illiterate and has basic computer skills. He always ends his e-mails sending me blessings.

I will make sure that, in spite of his limitations, he gets on the right track: GED first, then English lessons, simultaneously DACA and possibly more. I hope he will be willing to follow my advise.