We should not punish the kids for the actions of their parents. We should not make them fear deportation. Instead, we should help them contribute to this country — which is their country, too.

Today, thousands upon thousands of graduating high school students who’ve spent almost their whole lives here can’t go to college simply because their parents did not jump through the proper hoops. This is their home, the only home they’ve ever known. Yet many states deny them the right to attend college.

Take North Carolina, the state where I live, for example. It banned undocumented students from its community college system two years ago. Even though these children graduated high school and are part of their communities, state leaders decided these young people should not be able to continue their education because this wastes resources on noncitizens.

After a public outcry over the decision, the State Community College Board commissioned a study at a cost to taxpayers of $75,000. A consulting firm concluded that there was no negative economic effect from undocumented students enrolling at community colleges, since such students even pay out-of-state tuition.

So last month, the board voted 13-1 to reverse its decision.

But it’s not over yet. A Rules Review Commission must approve the change, and the state Legislature may intervene.

Ten states welcome undocumented students and only charge in-state tuition: California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Washington.

But real change won’t happen until Congress decides to pass the DREAM Act, a bill proposed by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif. This legislation would be a pathway for citizenship if students continue with their education or choose military service.

Our history is full of people all around the world who came here to make a better life and contribute their talents to making America great. We should not deprive so many of those who are graduating from high school this summer from fulfilling their potential.

Let’s be a nation not for deportation, but for education.

Glenn Hutchinson teaches writing at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., and has a written a play, “Limbo,” based on the stories of undocumented students. He can be reached at pmproj [at] progressive [dot] org.