California State Assembly passes SB328 Free tuition for illegal aliens

AP | 09/12/03 | Click

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SACRAMENTO (AP) _ A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for financial aid at California community colleges was approved by the state Assembly Thursday.

The bill, by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, would direct the board of governors to establish a process so students without legal immigration status can apply to have tuition waived.

It would require that the student attended high school in California for at least three years, obtained a diploma or an equivalent degree and, if the student isn't in the state legally, has applied to become a legal resident.

Opponents said the bill followed in the footsteps of the recently approved bill to allow illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses.

``Now we want to give financial aid in community colleges to illegal aliens?'' said Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia. ``Members, what is the matter with you?''

But supporters said the bill would help those students become educated members of the state's work force, helping the economy.

``We can continue to bury our heads in the sand and ignore it, but this helps kids who are in this state, who have graduated from high school, who we hope will go on to college, or learn a trade,'' said Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael. ``It's the right thing to do politically, it's the right thing to do socially, and it's the right thing to do economically as well.''

The bill was approved on a 43-27 vote, returning to the Senate for approval of Assembly amendments.

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On the Net:

Read the bill, SB328, at www.senate.ca.gov

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Just when you thought it couldn't get worse the idiots in Sacramento pass this bill in the middle of a 38B deficit. There either really stupid, ignorant, or just diabolical.

[Psalm 73]

Have they all gone mad???

[MizSterious]

WHAT is the matter with these people?

[hoosierboy]

Just buying votes wih taxpayer money.

[So Cal Rocket]

[ken5050]

This may also be the "tipping point"....maybe it's time for McClintock to come out with some powerful statements..

[TexasNative2000]

While I oppose the bill, allowing them to apply for financial aid and giving them "free tuition" are two different things. Very misleading headline.

[been_lurking]

But supporters said the bill would help those students become educated members of the state's work force, helping the economy.

Does this statement mean...

There are no jobs because there are not enough educated workers?

Or -- we need more state employees so let's educate the illegal aliens?

I don't understand....

[ZGuy]

So in California they can come into the country illegally and then the state will pay their tuition to learn to do things like . . . . fly airplanes. Nope... No red flags there.

[NautiNurse]

If I lived in California, I would pack my bags and get out of there fast. Let the Hollyweird crowd support the Mexicans.

[goldstategop]

Free tuition for illegal aliens? I am thinking of suing the State Of California to recoup the several thousand dollars I paid for my higher education. If they get it for free, I an American citizen, should be able to have the same advantage.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

The Democrats see their solid wall in California (every single statewide office and both houses of the legislature) developing a couple of big fissures with the Davis recall.

They see it slipping away from them, the state that is. Yeah, it's craven politics -- for the immigrant vote. But it's more than that: It is Clintonism at it's logical end-point: Destroy utterly what you can not own.

The RATS see the end of their outright ownership of California. So, in their eyes, it's time to completely destroy it, to leave a scorched earth to their enemies who will come in to try and manage the debacle they've created.

[Mo1]

``Now we want to give financial aid in community colleges to illegal aliens?'' said Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia. ``Members, what is the matter with you?''

At least there's someone with an ounce of common sense

[gubamyster]

ping

[BeerSwillr]

Un-freeking believable.

[click]

I am sorry if you think the headline is misleading but as a Kalifornia tax payer I don't see any difference between free and "tuition waived".

[sangoo]

If I lived in California, I would pack my bags and get out of there fast. Let the Hollyweird crowd support the Mexicans.

Funny, thats just what I am doing this morning. House closes escrow next month. I have to wonder just what economics model these politicians are following. I guess they really think that they can spend their way out of debt.

[novacation]

It's time to quit paying any taxes to the state of California.There is no other way to get these idiots to pay attention.

[Catalonia]

Why bother with free tuition? Why not just hand out degrees to illegals? It won't cost the state anything and the poor, trammeled illegals can then use their degrees to get better jobs 2 to 4 years earlier than usual. Piece of cake.

[lowbridge]

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse the idiots in Sacramento pass this bill in the middle of a 38B deficit. There either really stupid, ignorant, or just diabolical.

My choice is all of the above. But their biggest motive behind this, in my opinion, is "diabolical". This is their way of getting revenge on the people of California for having the temerity to recall Davis, a fellow Democrat.