Posted on 10/22/2005 12:01:29 AM PDT by dennisw
Published October 21, 2005 Undocumented students live in Massachusetts without benefits By Judith Wexler Daily Editorial Board The children of some undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts are not able to attend school because they are denied in-state tuition prices.
That was the claim of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) at a speech on campus Thursday in front of 20 students. Two representatives from the organization spoke about the problems faced by undocumented high school students and about their ongoing efforts to change the situation.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney vetoed legislation last year that would have allowed reduced tuition for undocumented students. Texas, California, Utah, Washington, New York, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico have all passed similar legislation.
MIRA estimates 400 undocumented high school students each year are unable to attend college because of the prohibitive cost of out-of-state tuition. The group is now leading a push for a two-thirds majority in the Massachusetts state house necessary to override the veto.
Without documentation proving legal residence in the state, the cost of community college can rise from $3,000 to $10,000 per year, and going to a state school costs as much as $20,000. Students also encounter barriers when they try to apply to college without social security numbers.
The MIRA representatives were careful to point out that "undocumented" does not necessarily mean "illegal." When lower tuition is not available, the students have few options.
"What are you supposed to do?" MIRA representativa Carlos Saavedra said. "Work at McDonalds for $6.25 an hour when you're the most talented kid in the school?"
Although undocumented students do not qualify for in-state tuition at Massachusetts schools, their parents still pay taxes to the IRS and are tagged with tax identification numbers.
MIRA is organizing a rally at the state house on Tuesday to pressure legislators. They want 400 protestors to fill the grand staircase to represent each student that is unable to complete their education every year.
"We have to have something for these students right now, because federal immigration reform is going to take years," Saavedra said. He urged current college students to see this as a pressing social issue and to stand up and fight, calling the problems faced by immigrants "a new generation of segregation."
"Immigrants are the engine of this country," he said.
Saavedra said fear is one of the biggest obstacles facing undocumented students. "A lot of them are scared. They're scared that if they speak up they'll get arrested."
The event was sponsored by the University College of Citizenship and Public Service.
I guess they aren't including the welfare benefits their illegal immigrant families might be getting?
It's just really shocking that we don't pay people to sneak into our country and rip us off... /sarcasm
Oh, wait a minute... Usually we do - this is an exception.
OUTRAGE!!
I don't believe MIRA (or any other of these proliferating "immigrant's" rights groups) could pony up 400 demonstrators without paying time-an-a-half.
Like La Raza and MALDEF, they are Soros-funded fronts and not membership-based. They speak for no one but themselves.
Gee...that's too bad.
Llorame un rio.
"What are you supposed to do?" MIRA representativa Carlos Saavedra said. "Work at McDonalds for $6.25 an hour when you're the most talented kid in the school?"
I think that "undocumented" does mean "illegal."
Further, this is quote is a red herring argument. ( "What are you supposed to do?" MIRA representativa Carlos Saavedra said. "Work at McDonalds for $6.25 an hour when you're the most talented kid in the school?")
The solution to that is simple. Have merit based scholarships where valedictorians get scholarships. But of course we can't have that. Minorities and women hardest hit you know.
They could always go home, apply for citizenship, save their money and return afterward as legal immigrants with citizenship in the works, or whatever the process is.
I realize that's difficult. But, seems to be the blatantly obvious solution that these people are avoiding accepting.
They're in the country illegally. I am betting they're already receiving a lot of financial help otherwise. I think resenting that they aren't getting more is disrespectful, immensely.
Go home, return later legally. Become a citizen, make a residence in a state of choice just like every other citizen does and has, and then do what every other citizen has and does afterward as to residency and/or outofstate educational fees.
They could always go home, apply for citizenship, save their money and return afterward as legal immigrants with citizenship in the works, or whatever the process is.
I realize that's difficult. But, seems to be the blatantly obvious solution that these people are avoiding accepting.
They're in the country illegally. I am betting they're already receiving a lot of financial help otherwise. I think resenting that they aren't getting more is disrespectful, immensely.
Go home, return later legally. Become a citizen, make a residence in a state of choice just like every other citizen does and has, and then do what every other citizen has and does afterward as to residency and/or outofstate educational fees.
i wonder if i go to mexico city universidad and matriculate, will they give me the local rate or the gringo rate?
We must reward these CRIMINAL INVADERS!
Yes it does, in 99.99% of the cases. If they are illegal/undocumented and short on funds for higher education, then they should ask the government of their country of origin for either a scholarship or financial assistance.
This is an official warning to the national Republican Party. Either secure our borders or lose our votes. We are not gonna put up with this much longer. Our schools, hospitals, and social services are being overwhelmed. DO YOUR JOB!
I voted for President Bush believing he would do something about this problem his second term when he didn't have to face relection. He is now in a position to help the liberal media to go to hell. He must protect our borders.
Soon it will be too late.
If they entered illegally they aren't "residents".
Have to jump through the hoops to make that claim.
Note, this is a hypothetical case. I won't be attempting to enter.
The better solution is to arrest and deport the illegal alien back to Mexico where they can apply for a student visa legally.
At the Red Sox gate tell them you have an undocumented ticket for a first base seat
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