Undocumented Student Body President At Cal State Long Beach Hopes To Be Paid

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — As student body president at Cal State Long Beach, Jose Salazar should receive a fellowship of $1,200 a month, but he doesn't.

The reason? He's undocumented.

"I'm up for the challenge. I love challenges," says Salazar, who is working on a double major of aerospace engineering and physics.

He is trying to put himself through school while juggling his post as president, a job that requires 25 to 50 hours a week.

"So, we are working hard to make sure he can be successful," CSULB President Jane Close Conoley said.

Conoley says the school and the student body are trying to find a way to pay Salazar. She says the school is searching for more permanent solutions for the undocumented students in the future.

While there have been some critical comments posted on social media, students CBS2/KCAL9 spoke with feel that Salazar should be compensated.

"He should be paid. He should be compensated," said one student, while another, said: "They should pay him."

"I see motivation. I see despair. I also see a future," says Salazar in looking at a photograph on his wall that says the word "Dream."