Illegals sue over college entrance

The Washington Times | September 4, 2003 | Mary Shaffrey

[Dante3]

A group of Hispanic illegal immigrants sued seven state colleges and universities yesterday in federal court, claiming the schools denied them admission because of their immigration status.

The lawsuit . . . says the schools' presidents and rectors are following ill-conceived legal advice from state Attorney General Jerry W. Gilgore, who last fall issued an opinion recommending that all Virginia colleges deny admission to illegal immigrants and suggeting that admissions officers report potentially illegal applicants to federal authorities. . .

Andres Tobar, co-chairman of the Immigrant Legal Rights Coalition, said Mr. Kilgore's policy punishes hundreds of high school students whose illegal status is no fault of their own, inasmuch as they were brought in the United States by their parents. . .

Marlinda Palpido, of Alexandria, agreed. Mrs. Palpido, 33, said she wouldn't be were she is now if she hadn't graduated from Virginia Tech . . . Mrs. Palpido was an illegal immigrant until she got married in 1997.

"I am now working as an engineer as a Navy contractor, but if they had closed the doors, I would probably be a nanny or a cook," she said.

Mr. Kilgore said through a spokesman that he will defend the schools.

"It seems as if they are attempting to force Virginia colleges and universities to accept illegal aliens," spokesman Timothy Murtaugh said. . .

Five of the six plaintiffs are identified only as Jane Doe I, II and III and John Doe I and II, and either attend or have graduated from Virginia public schools. The other plaintiff is Equal Access Education, a group of Northern Virginia immigrants and their families and friends.

The identities of the five students, all of whom are natives of Central and South American countries, were not revealed because none of them are U.S. citizens or alwful permanent resdidents, according to the lawsuit. . .

Tisha Tallman, regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), said some of them hold Temporary Protective Status visas, but had not been granted permanent residence. MALDEF is a civil rights organization that is spearheading the lawsuit. . .

Mr. Murtaugh said Virginia is not trying to set immigration policy, but rather to ensure everyone follows the law. "These anonymous plaintiffs are readily admitting they are not following the law," he said. "It's unfair to those who have followed the process legally."

[GailA]

Illegal Immigrants is a term the LIBERALS and BIASED media want you to have stuck in your mind as it makes it easier to associate illegal immigrants with LEGAL immigrants...thus blurring the line as they do with so many other social issues they treasure. These people are LAW BREAKING ILLEGAL ALIENS!

[Puppage]

A group of Hispanic illegal immigrants sued seven state colleges and universities yesterday in federal court, claiming the schools denied them admission because of their immigration status.

Well, DUH!

[blackdog]

In doublespeak tradition, "Illegal" now means something completely opposite it's actual meaning. My god how we've deteriorated.

[CatoRenasci]

Actually, this lawsuit may be a good idea. The federal courts in Virginia are more conservative than most. I think we could well end up with both district and circuit court opinions that say not only do the universities not have to admit illegal aliens, public institutions may not do so. College admission cannot be an entitlement, and schools are already permitted to discriminate between residents and nonresidents in fees. I think the timing for this is good.

[Puppage]

but if they had closed the doors...

Yeah, if we had CLOSED the border what would your ILLEGAL gripe be THEN?

[onevoter]

I would say this is fine if these people expect to pay out of state (Country) tuition rates but I suspect they also want preferred status based on being Hispanic and expect that the taxpayers should pay for their tuition due to low income. This is where we have to say "Enough!" I am currently paying through the nose to put my own two through college and should not have to carry the ball for illegals!

[Arrowhead1952]

ok, let me see if i've got this straight

Don't forget that in some states, illegals can now get a legal driver's license. Doesn't that sound oxymoronic? Thanks to Gray out Davis, Kalifornia will allow this practice. Gov Perry vetoed this in Texas.

[Puppage]

the schools denied them admission because of their immigration status.

They are ILLEGAL! They have NO STATUS!

[Bill S]

What part of the word illegal do these people not understand? in all seriousness, why aren't these ILLEGALS deported ASAP? This really is a twilight zone.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

Yes, higher education IS an entitlement...but only if you're illegal, living off welfare, or otherwise mooching off taxpayers. Those of us from middle-class America are the ones who get the shaft in the form of tuition increases.

I went to a public university and now get the joy of paying off $20K of student loans. Fortunately I funded most of my education through scholarships and part time work, or I'd be like a buddy of mine who is $130K in debt at the age of 22. My education was worth it, but nothing gets me more steamed than illegals insisting that they have a *right* to attend a public university (and probably for free at that).

They should be deported immediately. None of this secrecy stuff...kick 'em out NOW.

[dennisw]

I am sick and tired of their ******* arrogance. I pray they lose and lose big. If your folks come here illegally and bring you in to then tough luck. Go do drywall or agricultural work for the rest of your life. Our country club types want an imported serf class and guess what! That's you.

[KC_for_Freedom]

I don't understand this, they claim to be smart enough to get into college in VA but seem not to know that they can move to CA and be treated like a resident, even given aid.

They could use the legal fees to travel. I don't think they belong in college yet.

[putupon]

I can't wait for DimRAT Guv. Warner to weigh in his opinion on this one.

[GunsareOK]

...Andres Tobar, co-chairman of the Immigrant Legal Rights Coalition...

This clown ran for Delegate in the 49th district of Virginia but lost in the primary (to another liberal).

[Imagine]

(COPY AND DISTRIBUTE WIDELY. Revise and extend as you see fit, start a movement, print a petition, start a political party, confront your legislators, write letters, post posters, drop leaflets, demand, demand, demand…)

18 POINT ACTION PLAN: Border Violators

1) Close all US borders to illegal entry forthwith by any and all means possible, including military presence.

2) Maintain legitimate immigration levels at modest annual level with requirements that immigrants be employable or sufficiently wealthy for self-support if they do not intend to work, proficient in basic English and willing to be assimilated into American culture and language. All applicants shall provide prints, photos and DNA samples.

3) Legal immigration shall be awarded to individuals on a lottery basis, wherein all countries are given equal status in the immigration lottery, without regards to color or economic plight of originating nation.

4) Individuals of Islamic faith (muslims) from any country shall be denied immigration privileges or entry into the US. Christians and Jews from muslim countries fleeing religious persecution shall receive preferential and accelerated immigration privileges.

5) Detain all border violators, taking photos, prints and DNA samples of said violator while at the same time, checking for out standing warrants. If no warrants are outstanding, return border violators to home country within 20 days via commercial airline and submit cost of such action, including processing and housing costs for said violator, to country of origin. If costs are not paid within 30 days, reduce any and all aid to said country by a like amount.

6) Should any country from which a border violator originates not currently receive any aid from the US, the Justice Department shall be authorized to seize or secure liens on assets owned, managed or registered to that country to the full extent of the obligation.

7) Establish new Guest Worker Visa (GWV) category, renewable every six (6) months, for unskilled labor positions wherein all applicants shall provide prints, photos and DNA samples. Work permitted of such applicants shall be limited to one of several categories, including childcare, lawn/gardening, restaurant staff, cleaning, and the like. Families of GWV workers are not permitted to enter US, nor will the birth of a child to one of GWV status confer citizenship to either parent or child.

8) Any violation of civil or criminal laws shall result in the forfeiture of the GWV and immediate return to originating country.

9) GWV holders shall be prohibited from claiming unemployment benefits, welfare support or free medical service.

10) The originating country of all GWV holders shall be responsible for any uninsured loss caused by the GWV, including emergency medical claims and/or claims resulting from illegal actions committed while in the US.

11) Companies who hire GWV holders shall submit to the Immigration Dept the name and GWV number of that individual, along with a description of employment tasks. Companies shall be subject to fines and penalty that fail to report employment of GWV workers, or hire border violators. GWV workers shall be paid with check, having income tax withheld. GWV workers shall not be subject to unemployment tax because they are not eligible to receive unemployment compensation.

12) Border violators, or any non-citizen not possessing a valid visa, detained by local police for any reason shall be turned over to border control officials for immediate deportation action, except if they face criminal charges in other jurisdictions.

13) Border violators and GWV workers shall be prohibited from voting in local, state and federal elections.

14) Border Violators shall NOT be afforded the rights enjoyed by American citizens, as guaranteed under the constitution.

15) Public education (at institutions supported by taxpayer dollars) at any level (pre-school, kindergarten through the university level,) shall NOT be available to Border Violators (or children of Border Violators) and schools that enroll such individuals shall be subject to penalties.

16) Foreign Students (F/S) (individuals admitted to the U.S. for the purpose of attending any educational facility,) private institution or public (i.e. supported by taxpayer dollars,) must have valid student visas, such visas being in force only if the F/S attends school full-time. F/S shall be required to pay tuition, housing and related costs such that all their educational costs are fully reimbursed to the institution attended. The originating country shall pay for any and all loss caused by students while on U.S. soil.

17) Border Violators seeking emergency medical treatment shall provide pictures, fingerprints and DNA samples along with country of origin, and shall be treated then incarcerated until information provided can be verified. Originating country shall bear the costs of medical treatment and confinement.

18) Children born in the U.S. to border violators, illegal aliens or of foreign nationals in the U.S. for any reason (including temporary visitor, school or work visas,) shall not be eligible for citizenship as circumstances of birth, nor shall the parents or parent’s family members (relatives) be conferred U.S. citizenship as a result of such births.

[GunsareOK]

That will be interesting. He has ambitions of running for US Senate when John Warner retires. Half of the stupid public probably thinks they're the same guy anyway.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The identities of the five students, all of whom are natives of Central and South American countries, were not revealed because none of them are U.S. citizens or alwful permanent resdidents, according to the lawsuit. . .

Doesn't the State of Virginia have the right to face its accusers?

Let them stand up and be seen. And when they entwer the court room...arrest them.

[El Laton Caliente]

Throw their lawyers in jail as well for haboring and aiding a criminal.

[bitcon]

12) Border violators, or any non-citizen not possessing a valid visa, detained by local police for any reason shall be turned over to border control officials for immediate deportation action, except if they face criminal charges in other jurisdictions.


That would drastically hurt trade between Canada and the US.


I think there should be an addition. All people who wish to serve in the US Military and pose no threat the US should get immediate entrance or prefferential treatment.

[frnewsjunkie]

There is a way to stop this "illegal immigrant" stuff.

Go back to the way it used to be. Do not allow any immigrant (illegal of legal) to vote until they are citizens .... and have been here 7 years.

As it is now, the Dems are after the immigrant vote,... and so to win an election, the Repubs also have to be after the immigrant vote.

Remove what is running this train!