The ROOT problem here, at least in Texas, is that the Federal Government via the Supreme Court forces us to educate the kids of illegals among other things.
But the Federal Government will not secure the border.
It’s a mix bag for me because I understand both sides of the issue. Being a Texan, I see Mexican kids who were brought here by their parents from Mexico illegally and many have been here for more in their life than in Mexico. Many do not even relate to Mexico. They consider themselves Texans because they grew up here and went to school here most of their lives.
Here is something also to think about: Many of these kids of illegals who go to college and graduate are not able to get jobs if they have not completed their citizenship.
This whole issue involves 1% or less of the entire higher education students in Texas Universities. We are talking about 8K to 12K students. There were 8,406 undocumented students enrolled in community college and technical schools, 3,735 in public universities and 7 in health related institutes in the fall semester of 2009.
Reminder too that are no perks. They have to pay unless they applied and got a grant.
There was over $27 million paid in tuition and fees in the year 2009 to Institutions & Universities by students who filed the affidavits in Texas.
Also of note is that there are 12 states that have this in-state tuition law.
California, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
I just feel like this is not an issue to stop someone from beating Obama in the 2012 election. That is the goal.
Worrying about approx 12K kids of illegals getting a lower tuition rate (which they have to pay) seems silly to me.
Yes, Plyler vs Doe, does require K-12 schools to accept illegal aliens. If you read the decision, it was based on costs in 1982, i.e., they were easily absorbed by the school district. That is no longer the case. Illegal alien students are bankrupting many of our K-12 schools and lowering performance. Here is VA, there are 36,000 LEP students in the Fairfax County school system. They additional ESOL costs are $3,500 a student on top of a normal sudent's per capita cost of $13,000. Plyler vs Doe must be challenged again on the basis of the Constitution.
There is no requirement for states to absorb in-state tuition costs for illegals in higher education. In fact, the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 “prohibits states from providing a postsecondary education benefit to an alien not lawfully present in the United States on the basis of residence unless any U.S. citizen or national is eligible for the same benefit.” Texas and a few other states like CA, NY, WA, IL, UT, etc. have skirted this clause and are being challenged in the courts. Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas v. State of Texas (University of Houston) is the Texas related case.
This year, legislators in Washington, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas tried to repeal their in-state tuition laws. However, legislative efforts failed in all but Texas, which still has active repeal bills in both legislative houses. MD passed a bill this year, but even in the bluest of blue states, public opposition was so strong that a petition was circulated that suspended the law and put it on the ballot next year. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina have laws specifically prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition
But the Federal Government will not secure the border.
Securing the border only solves part of the problem. 40% of the 12 to 20 million illegals here came legally and overstayed their visas. We need the cooperation of state and local governments to enforce our immigration laws. We even have sanctuary cities that defy and violate federal law.
When states like CA and TX provide benefits to illegal aliens, they assist in the de facto legitimization of the status of illegals. Some states like Utah and WA issue them driver's licences. When you reward something, you get more of it.
It’s a mix bag for me because I understand both sides of the issue. Being a Texan, I see Mexican kids who were brought here by their parents from Mexico illegally and many have been here for more in their life than in Mexico. Many do not even relate to Mexico. They consider themselves Texans because they grew up here and went to school here most of their lives.
We are a nation of laws or we are not. Children suffer from the sins of their parents in this country. We put people in prison if they commit crimes even if they have children. The parents should be deported along with their children. The Texas law only requires three years residency so someone could come here at 15 or later and receive in-state tuition assistance. I assume that adults could also take advantage of the law as well.
Here is something also to think about: Many of these kids of illegals who go to college and graduate are not able to get jobs if they have not completed their citizenship.
And how do they "complete their citizenship?" They are here illegally. They are prohibited from working in this country. Do you have any understanding of what one must do to apply for an immigrant visa to the US. Immigration to the US is a privilege, not a right. The process starts in the home country, not the US. There are 4 million intending immigrants, including children, waiting overseas, some for years, to enter the US. They have completed all of the paperwork, background checks, and medical examinations. How fair is it to allow those who flaunted our laws and entered illegally to stay here? Are these the kind of people we want as citizens?
This whole issue involves 1% or less of the entire higher education students in Texas Universities. We are talking about 8K to 12K students. There were 8,406 undocumented students enrolled in community college and technical schools, 3,735 in public universities and 7 in health related institutes in the fall semester of 2009. Reminder too that are no perks. They have to pay unless they applied and got a grant.
This is not just a cost issue. It is a matter of principle and law. And are these 8,406 taking the places of American citizens who are eligible to attend these colleges? The state universities are being subsidized by state taxpayers. Even the in-state tuition does not cover the full costs of the students.
I just feel like this is not an issue to stop someone from beating Obama in the 2012 election. That is the goal. Worrying about approx 12K kids of illegals getting a lower tuition rate (which they have to pay) seems silly to me
It may seem silly to you, but not to me. I am an active member of a 40,000 strong Tea Party movement in VA as well as a grassroots activist on an immigration group that lobbies on the Hill and in the statehouse. I know that the vast majority of our members consider Perry's stance on illegal immigration, securing the border with a fence, and in-state tuition as enough to rule him out for consideration to be President. We will be actively working against him in the primaries.
Perry has a tin ear when it comes to the immigration issue and his dispicable playing of the race card against those of us who believe that providing benefits to illegals is wrong brings back memories of McCain, Rove, Bush, and Graham. I will be doing everything possible to smoke Perry out on his views on immigration. We cannot afford another Bush in the WH who will push for an amnesty.
NumbersUSA with over a million members gives Perry a D minus
Do you support repeal of the in-state tuition for illegals in Texas?