to the state's 58 community colleges. They can attend but must pay $7,700 out-of-state tuition instead of the $1,600 that in-state residents pay.

In spite of their fears about deportation and retaliation, Lopez, Martinez and Silva decided to publicly declare their undocumented status this week in the hope of adding their voices to the national dialogue on immigration.

"What brings us together is the need for us to be recognized as humans," Martinez said. "We live in the shadows."

All three graduated from N.C. high schools. Martinez and Silva want to go to one of North Carolina's public colleges, but can't come up with the out-of-state tuition.

Read about the DREAM Act at www.dreamactivist.org.

Follow the hunger strikers at http://ncdreamteam.wordpress.com