Posted on 04/23/2015 10:10:01 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
NASHVILLE -- As the Tennessee House debated a bill Wednesday that could determine whether he can eventually afford college, 15-year-old Carlos Reyes was in the balcony.
In the end, the bill to allow some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities failed by one vote, 49-47. Fifty votes were needed to approve the bill, which had passed in the Senate. The measure is dead until next year.
"It does make me feel kind of upset," said Reyes, a high school student from Murfreesboro whose parents brought him illegally to the U.S. "I really hope they pass this law soon. For us, the community, the immigrants, we want to go to college. Our hopes, it's like, we're just waiting."
The proposal was sponsored by Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis. Last week, senators approved Republican Sen. Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga's version of the bill on a 21-12 vote, culminating a three-year effort by Gardenhire, White and immigrant advocates.
White thought he had the votes but over the hour-plus debate, support began eroding as GOP opponents began tying the bill to continued frustration over illegal immigration and executive actions taken by President Barack Obama.
White urged colleagues to stand with him.
"This bill is about education; it's not about immigration reform," White said. "They were brought up here [as children] and this allows them to pay in-state tuition."
Under current law, undocumented students pay out-of-state tuition -- as much as three times higher than in-state -- at public colleges, even though their families may have lived and paid taxes in Tennessee for decades.
The bill would cover Tennessee school graduates who were brought to the U.S. before 2007 who were under age 16 and who qualify as being in the country "lawfully" under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. That program also requires they pass criminal background checks.
The House attack against the bill began with a series of three amendments sponsored by Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden.
"We're saying we are not going to give the same access ... to lawful citizens of our own country as to what we're giving" the students, Holt charged, asking why U.S.-born students in nearby states get in-state rates.
All the Holt amendments were eventually tabled, most by larger margins than the final vote.
As debate went on, Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, asked "how many of these illegal aliens are going to use this benefit?"
White said some 7,000 students have been deemed lawful under the DACA program.
"We're giving people hope," White said, adding, "I hope many do" qualify.
Backing White was Rep. Rick Womick, R-Murfreesboro, an unlikely ally with a history of fierce opposition to illegal immigration. Womick and other supporters said the students are already here and college educations will help them get better jobs and become productive taxpayers who won't need social services.
"They're going to stay here, more than likely, after they go to school," Womick said. "They're going to contribute to this society, to our state."
Eben Cathey, with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said proponents are disappointed about "losing by a hair." But he said getting as far as they did was "amazing." They will return next year, he said.
"We're not done yet," Cathey said. "We knew it was going to be an uphill battle. ... There's a lot of momentum to make this policy happen."
Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell did not preside over the debate and did not cast a vote. But she said later she would have voted no, calling it a "slippery slope."
"... There are a lot of people who were naturally born here that are struggling to pay college tuitions. If we're going to do this for them, I do believe let's do away with out-of-state tuition altogether."
The vote was 49-47 meaning some Republicans voted for this treason against the tax paying American citizens of Tennessee...
PING
When they do these little spotlights on an individual in these stories, in order to make an emotional appeal so people will disregard the facts of things, I wish that I could force them to at least have balance and also portray a member of the group who will be hurt by this, apart from the illegality and unconstitutionality of it-a legal taxpaying American.
Stick a fork in America
Oh get outa here, Honey..
Youre making too much sense..
:)
Horse hockey. It is all part and parcel of the unlawful desires and actions of those that would 'fundamentally change' these United States.
Publish the names everywhere and often of the yes voters. Let them get some heat from the TN TaxPayers.
Embarrassed at my native state for almost passing this horse hockey nonsense.
When I first moved here, my Military ID (retired) wasn't sufficient to even get a driver's license.
[[Backers of Tennessee in-state tuition for undocumented students say they’ll try again next year]]
Yes, please do keep trying to destroy this great nation of ours- what a commendable pursuit- you should be proud you’ve ruined life for many LEGAL citizens by making it MORE expensive for us who are already poor to make it- Please do keep STEALING LEGAL citizen’s money to pay for ILLEGALS! [s/]
“I want to know how the hell these people even have jobs in Tennessee.”
The police chief in Nashville is even talking about hiring green card holders for police officers. I guess we can’t find enough American candidates. It seems that there’s a push to get people used to obeying anyone in uniform from anywhere.
I would love to see, pray tell, the breakdown of majors these illegals are taking. not that it matters in the big picture, but would be good for a laugh.
Ricky Ricardo is right about one thing, tuition assistance should be tied to a real major being taken.
There are THREE political parties in America:
Socialist Democrats
Establishment RINO Republicans
Conservative Republican Base voters
True, and there’s a good chance all three will field candidates in 2016 with the Dems winning with the legendary “Clintonian plurality”
If you’re going to give “in state” tuition breaks to foreign invaders, why not give them to American kids who happen to live on the other side of a state line?
From my friend, Dr. Christina Jeffrey. If this audio (at the link below) doesn’t SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU, YOU’RE EITHER NOT PAYING ATTENTION OR HATE AMERICA — THE IDEA — AS MUCH AS OBAMA DOES!
Dick
This audio ia the first I heard before learning that refugee resettlement in Spartanburg is a two-year old program: A local conservative talk show host named Sue Payne was allowed to listen in on an Obama administration refugee strategy conference call (you know, there are patriots everywhere), and she taped it and played it for Mark Levine on his radio show - eye opening!
http://www.wcbm.com/upload/marklevinsuepayne.mp3
True, and theres a good chance all three will field candidates in 2016 with the Dems winning with the legendary Clintonian plurality
Only turns out that way if the GOP voters are as brain dead as Democrat voters if we have a good alternative.
I’m not voting for a cheap labor importer and that’s what the RNC wants.
Why don’t those who want to give illegals a tuition break just pay the in-state/out-of-state tuition difference themselves, out of pocket?
Instead they want to stick the taxpayer with the costs of their “compassion”, so they can feel good about themselves, but at little expense to their wallets.
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