At the high school where I teach, this time of year is always a little awkward.

Our college-bound seniors are creating their Free Application for Federal Student Aid accounts and beginning the process of collecting information and documentation to meet the December deadline. The students, many of whom have been together for four years or more, must now sort themselves into two categories: Americans and “illegals.” The U.S. citizens apply for FAFSA. The undocumented students cannot; they must fill out the California Dream Act Application instead.

It is also at this time of year that a few students get some very unwelcome news — they were not born here, but were brought here when they were very young. Their parents never told them, perhaps not wanting to burden their children, or out of embarrassment, or believing that by the time their kids graduated the immigration mess would be sorted out. These students are not citizens like their classmates; they’re not even green card holders.…