Posted on 05/05/2005 2:52:19 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Some 2,000 undocumented students will graduate from Florida high schools this year and be prevented from going to college through no fault of their own. That's both unfair and unwise policy. Decency and common sense demand that these students be allowed to pay the less-costly in-state tuition that is paid by other state residents to attend Florida colleges and universities.
Currently, undocumented students may attend Florida schools but must pay the out-of-state tuition, which is about five times more expensive than the in-state rate. At Florida International University, for example, annual in-state tuition is $2,913 compared to $15,420 for out-of-state students.
Whether or not the students are in college, the absence of legal status will be a burden that they must eventually deal with. Getting a degree makes it more likely that they will ultimately legalize their residence in this country, thus furthering an aim that works to the benefit of everyone. As long as the students seek an avenue for legalization, it makes no sense to put obstacles in their way. This is not to say that the lack of legal status should be ignored, but rather that it serves everyone to offer inducements that will benefit those with a potential to become important contributors to our social and economic well-being.
A Rand study found that Hispanics with bachelor's degrees will pay twice as much in taxes during their work lives compared to those with only high-school degrees. So the loss of college opportunity for talented yet undocumented students is a loss for all Floridians.
With a college degree, these students have a better shot at obtaining a green card through employment. The state House and Senate bills that would allow them to pay in-state tuition also would require them to commit to getting residency as soon as legally possible. That's only fair.
These students didn't create their predicament. Their parents brought them and stayed here illegally years ago. As children, they learned English, went to public schools and grew up listening to rap and rock on the radio. Yet they didn't have a path to legal status unless they were abandoned, neglected or abused by their parents. But for the lack of documents, they are as American as the person sitting next to them in class.
There is no free lunch here. They and their parents pay state taxes, too. Florida should join nine other states that already allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition.
The Legislature should allow these students the chance to achieve all they can -- for themselves and our communities.
Ignoring immigration laws for an increased tax base? What about all the tax money going out due to illegal immigration?
And if Al Capone had paid his income taxes, he wouldn't have gone to jail.
But he was still wasn't long for this world.
I cannot post for at least the next 48 hours due to the unfortunate incident of my HEAD EXPLODING reading this article. Take care all of you.
Although I am vehemently against tuition for illegals, I seriously dount there are many who would take the state up on their offer anyway. Your typical Guatemalan Indian or Haitian migrant does not exactly have college as a top priority.
"They and their parents pay state taxes, too."
--> I don't get it, so according to the article, i'm under the impression they are here illegally and pay state taxes? Pay state taxes on their IRS forms when they file? or pay taxes when they buy stuff (Taxed goods).
Cry me a river whaaaaaa. Off the plank you go, Illegal Matey!
But, but, if they get a college degree, they'll no longer do jobs Americans don't want to do.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
If bilingual education continues in public education, they'll never make it to graduation. The drop out rate across the country is over 50%.
The Legislature should allow these students the chance to achieve all they can -- for themselves and our communities.
Pass the koolaid(bong water?). I'd love to see the letters to the editor, in response to this article.
If they make an exception for these students, think of all the scenarios that would arise where they'd have to make exceptions.
My sister and BIL own a home in Florida, but they are missionaries in Central America (have been there for many years).
When their child comes to Florida to go to college, until she establishes residency (she will have to live in the state for 12 months), she will not qualify for the Florida tuition rate, but will have to pay the higher out-of-state rate.
They own property here, pay taxes on that property, but that still does not establish legal residency.
Didn't Santorum or some other Senator have an issue similar to this with his kids using an online school in the state where the Senator owned property, but the kids lived with him in the DC area and the Dems made a big deal of it?
Do I need this at this time of the day?????
Their names should be turned over to INS for deportation immediately.
They give their employers false SSN numbers. They have their taxes withdrawn from them, but don't file with the IRS to claim them back for obvious reasons. So there are no "IRS forms"; at their income bracket they'd get all their taxes back if they filed.
Ok thanks for the quickie lesson in IRS stuff :)
Hmmmm. Let's remember our Child Psychology. If we reward undesirable behavior what do we get? Thousands of ILLEGAL aliens demanding free educations!!! I don't remember getting anything free when I was in Mexico.
Since FL has no income tax, the only state taxes they pay are the same ones anyone visiting the state does: sales tax.
I guess by this rational we should just do away with the whole notion of in-state and out-of-state rates.
WideGlide wrote:
I don't remember getting anything free when I was in Mexico.
--> What? They didn't give you your " all i got was this lousy TShirt?" T-shirt?
The horror!
Thank YOU for your excellent postings. ANd I agree it smells
worse than the local chicken plant on it's worst days when the mere politicians Ignore the law to increase the tax base. How many illegals get educated here only to turn that educaiton against us? Seem to recall at least one
Muslim Terrorist was enrolled in flight school?How many of those S.American students trained in the School of the Americas have used their American sponsored and provided
education to make America a better place?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.