Posted on 09/19/2006 1:59:19 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Schwarzenegger will have final say on bill greenlighting state aid for illegal immigrants.
Legislation that would make illegal immigrants eligible for financial aid at California public colleges is waiting a decision by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The bill — named the California D.R.E.A.M. Act — extends more rights to undocumented students, which legislators estimate numbered almost 600 across the UC system last year.
Currently, those students are allowed to obtain in-state residency status if they meet certain criteria, including attendance at a California high school for at least three years. However, undocumented students are not currently allowed to compete for state aid, which bill author Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) said limits opportunities for students who usually need financial relief the most.
“These students, among the best and the brightest young minds in our state, should not be punished for their parent’s pursuit of greater opportunities,” Cedillo stated in a press release.
During its Senate approval in late August, the legislation was attacked for being “unfair” and “flat-out wrong.” The passing vote in the Legislature was mainly split along party lines, with most Republicans in opposition. Assemblyman and Minority Leader George Plescia (R-San Diego) took issue with the fact that, if passed, the bill would give undocumented students rights not granted to out-of-state students, who must pay higher fees and are not eligible for state aid.
“This is a slap in the face to any student who is here legally,” said Morgan Crinklaw, Plescia’s spokesman. “California has students who are from Arizona, the Midwest and everywhere around the nation. Is it fair to let them get cut in line for financial aid?”
The bill’s passage would mean granting incentives to criminals at the expense of other California students, Crinklaw said. The cost of providing aid to illegal immigrants in the UC system would be $3.7 million, legislative analysts estimated.
The governor has not released any statements on the bill, but supporters are hoping he continues a trend of providing state help to undocumented youth. Schwarzenegger signed the current state law, which allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates, in 2002.
In 2005, a group of nonresident students sued the UC system, claiming that they were unjustly charged with higher tuition rates than illegal aliens.
In the lawsuit, which could cost the University of California hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, over 40 plaintiffs contend that the university system is violating a federal law passed in 1996 requiring colleges provide the same level of aid to nonresident and undocumented students.
For 2006-07, UC officials estimated that non-California students paid an extra $18,168 each in tuition and fees, but total costs for 2007-08 could increase.
In addition, the bill would allow undocumented students at state community colleges to apply for fee waivers.
I believe that was AB 540, signed by Gray Davis in 2001.
What documentation does it take to prove you are undocumented?
I give it better than 50-50 odds he'll sign, it, no lead in a poll is ever big enough, yaknow..
Don't expect the US taxpayer to bail out California when it goes bankrupt.
So if daddy decides to pursue the greater opportunity of robbing a bank and gets caught, the kid shouldn't be punished by having daddy hauled off to jail? It's sad, but illegal actions by parents do negatively affect their children.
Why should they not shoe-polish themselves up, grab a taco, then come in and say THEY'RE ILLEGAL...?
Could this bill be more wrong to the legal citizens of California? It reveals the sheer idiocy that the State legislature has become. Multicultural liberalism is sticking a knife in the back of all U.S. citizens.
I pray Arnold has the stones to veto this garbage.
ping
US citizen students, among the best and the brightest young minds in our state, should not be punished for illegal's pursuit of greater opportunities provided by flagrant government spending of their parent's tax dollars.
What part of ILLEGAL /= STATE AID do they not understand?
Mine were here before John Smith landed in 1614. I'm still waiting for my kids' perks. Nope, no perks from the Indian bloodline since it didn't get much past Jamestown so it's just us WASPs. Waiting. Still waiting. Anyone?
Hell, I'm not expecting "perks", really. I'd just like a bit of assistance to get them an education beyond High School. I've got one fighting in Iraq partly because the Army provides a great educational fund package (mostly he wanted to defend his country and help others over there).
I hope the freedoms and liberties the illegal immigrants are enjoying in this country courtesy of all those who are now or have fought defending this nation are appreciated.
Come on Arnie, let's see if you are a socialist like your old ladys family.
Let's see if you have fallen under skelators powers.
CA should just annex Mexico and be done with it.
interesting that for the first time there is an American title insurance guaranteeing real estate in Cabo...friend of mine just bought his 3rd condo ...plush, gated, 2-3 bedrooms ~US$180,000 to 200,000. There is a Home Depot now in Cabo...and they just broke ground on a Walmart
The Gov. sucks, Arnold is no conservative which is different than a Republican.
One bill Gil Cedillo is like the little battery that won't quit - he keeps pushing for ALL the benefits of citizenship for his compadres who have snuck into this country. The more Los Angeles keeps electing open borders people like him, the worse it will get (if that's possible).
California is fast becoming a Mexican welfare state, and citizens are leaving in droves to get away from it.
Coming to every other state soon, if it's not already there.
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