NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Metro Schools is seeing a huge increase in requests for student transcripts, and a likely cause is the president's deferred action plan for illegal immigrants.
The spike in requests has been so great that the district has had to hire new employees to cover the demand.
Gracia Esparza is halfway through the documents she needs to complete to apply for the deferred action program, which allows young undocumented immigrants to legally work in the United States.
"It's so stressful and it takes a lot of your time, because you have to go through every single document hoping it has your name on it to prove that you were here," Esparza said.
One thing she and other Metro students and graduates need in order to complete the application is a high school transcript.
Metro leaders have seen an enormous increase in the request for those transcripts, which they partially attribute to the program.
"We expected some requests, but we really had no idea of the volume that was going to take place," said Taffy Marsh, with Metro Schools.
Metro still keeps all these records on microfilm, so transcript requests take a lot of time.
Last August, the district reported just 800 total requests, but now the district is averaging 450 request each day.
The district keeps boxes and boxes containing millions of pieces of paper records dating back 40 years, and there's been such an increase in requests for these records, the district has had to hire more people.
"We have hired five temporary employees to help us process that volume, and we rotate other permanent employees through the record center to help us," Marsh said.
They also had to rent another microfilm machine to speed up the process and keep a 10-day turnaround time.
But the documents are proof that Esparza worked hard at Hume-Fogg High School, and that could give her a chance to pursue her dreams in this country.
"My personal dream is to go into business. I want to do international business affairs and hopefully it can help me get there," Esparza said.
Metro officials said if you need a transcript, expect a turnaround time of 10 business days. The more information you can provide, such as name, graduation year and school will help them find your transcripts.
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