Posted on 06/14/2012 11:23:55 AM PDT by jazusamo
A special category of tuition created this month for illegal immigrants at a public university in Colorado violates both federal and state law, Judicial Watch points out in a letter to the school’s Board of Trustees.
Therefore JW is calling for the immediate rescinding of the measure, which enables certain unlawfully present aliens to attend the taxpayer-funded school, Metropolitan State College of Denver, without having to pay full non-resident tuition. “In approving this new category of tuition, the College recognized that these students would otherwise be required to pay full non-resident tuition because of their inability to demonstrate lawful presence in the United States,” JW writes.
Because the new category violates both federal law and Colorado law and constitutes an act beyond the powers of the board, it must be reversed. Under federal law illegal immigrants are ineligible for state or local public benefits, including post-secondary education benefits unless a state enacts a measure affirmatively granting the perk.
Though a handful of states—including Texas, California, Utah, Washington and New York— have done this, Colorado has not. In Texas and California the illegal alien discounted tuition measures have been legally challenged and at least three states—Georgia, Oklahoma and Arizona—have solved the contentious issue by creating policies banning discounted tuition for illegal aliens at public colleges.
In this case one school passed the controversial measure, so it would apply only to that Denver campus, which has an enrollment of about 24,000. Founded in 1965, Metro State is a comprehensive college that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields. Its school of business, professional studies, academic affairs and science are considered to be highly regarded.
In announcing the new illegal immigrant tuition rate, the university issued a press release calling it a “historical day” that earned a standing ovation from students, faculty, community members and even state legislators. The Board of Trustees passed the measure, originally proposed by President Stephen Jordan, with a 7-1 vote after hearing testimony from an army of supporters, including “undocumented students” attending the college.
To qualify, candidates must graduate from a Colorado high school or obtain a general equivalency diploma (GED) in the state. Here’s a good one; candidates must also provide a statement that they are in “good legal standing, other than their undocumented or unclassified status.” The goal, after all, is to help “students living in the state of Colorado who through no fault of their own do not have the lawful status to be eligible for resident tuition rates.”
That’s a classic line of the open borders movement, that American taxpayers are somehow responsible for helping illegal aliens brought the country as children “through no fault of their own.” Bottom line is that it violates a number of state and federal laws, though Metro College’s president insists the Board of Trustees has the “legislative authority to establish nonresident rates.”
Isn’t that racist?
The law is treating them differently because of their race/ethnicity after all.
I’d love to see the box labeled “Illegal Alien” that has to be checked in order to get the discount.
Now, will it be a crime (e.g., “illegal”), for a real Colorado resident to check that box to get a discount?
How does one prove one is illegal?
If one can prove it, does not that make it easy to deport?
Inquiring minds want to know
Why wouldn’t every out of state student claim to be an in-state illegal with no documentation?
It's hard to believe taxpayers in CO aren't livid about this. It's the same as if the CO government was sending taxpayer money to Mexico to finance college tuition there.
A student from another state, a legal US citizen, needs to sue for discrimination.
Metropolitan State College of Denver, my alma mater...I am so very proud...NOT!
Clearly racial profiling, Sharpton to the rescue!
How about an out of country tuition? That has got to be cheap! Where do I sign up I need my MBA.
No, racism only applies to those cracker WHITEYS.
Blacks and Hispanics can use any slur about white-folk, or themselves; but if Whitey dares to say the same word, even quoting from a Rap song ... he’s a bigot.
Hope that clears things up for you.
Many taxpayers in CO are livid about this. Citizen comments in local papers reflect this.
Unfortunately, the illegal and leftie populations of Denver, Boulder, and such are playing political games with this and MMJ.
They hope to get the illegals and druggies to turn out this fall to vote for these issues - as they might not get off their couch to vote for 0
According to JW the state will have to change existing law for this to be legal, do you think they'll do it, or at least try?
Can’s someone sue those dilberts for creating an “attractive nuisance”?
No, it demonstrates the college's willingness to aid and abet criminals. The minute an illegal's application comes in, the college should be calling ICE and stamping "not accepted" across the file.
In this scheme a legal immigrant from out of state pays more tuiton than an illegal in state.
Legals may be encouraged to not admit they are legal.
Absolutely.
Legals may be encouraged to not admit they are legal.
Why not it worked for Obammy.
Keep an eye on any sharper ones in this group. One of them may be the future Prezbo of the US.
I attended “Metro”, too. After this, they can just stop sending me the fundraising e-mails. Absolutely zero chance I would donate to them now.
The DUmmies are pushing the MMJ issue to drive the Kos kids to vote in November.
Colorado vote on pot could affect Obama-Romney race.
http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_20782253/colorado-vote-pot-could-affect-obama-romney-race?source=rss
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