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."

[zygoat]

Its time for a NATIONAL RECALL! Although some politicians (Tancreco comes to mind)seem to take Americans' interests to heart, the majority just flow with the status quo!

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[Imagine]

Canadians can get visas just like anybody else. If terrorism and terrorists sneaking in through Canada weren't a problem, then I would agree with you. Untill then, no exceptions.

[Dante3]

A while back Gov. Warner wanted to eliminate out-of-state fees for illegals. One of the conditions was that the illegals and their families move to Virginia.

[Blood of Tyrants]

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.

No problemo! Deport them all!

[GunsareOK]

...the illegals and their families move to Virginia...

Like we need more of them.

[doc30]

I thought the newest PC term for "illegal immigrant" was "undocumented entrant." Personally, the illegal immigration favoritism makes us legal immigrants very upset. It costs a small fortune, many legal hurdles and several years for the process to become a legal permanent resident in the U.S. These illegals need to be sent right back to where they came from.

[putupon]

Yeah, I remember. I wonder if the sheeple can come whenever he goes for the Senate. You know our spineless GOP won't make an issue of it.

[Constitutional Patriot]

They have stepped forward and identified themselves as illegal aliens...where the %*#@# is the INS?!?!!?

[putupon]

Like we need more of them.

Now that you mention it, my grass does need cutting.

[Blue Collar Christian]

The language here is so yesterday. Here in LA we don't hear "illegal alien" anymore on the news, it's "undocumented immigrants" who will be allowed to get driver's licenses as soon as Govna Gray signs the bill.(Of course, this is so they will be then all buying liability insurance)BARF!

Someone tell me why we put up with this.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"These illegals need to be sent right back to where they came from."

After a good caning.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"...and schools are aleady permitted to discriminate betwwen residents and nonresidents in fees."

And are forced to discriminate by race!

[Paved Paradise]

Exactly. This is what I don't get. If there are some immigration lawyers out there, help me out here. Why was it my understanding that if you come here illegally, then when we catch you, we throw you back. (I realize it can be complicated, because who pays for the flight to fly the loser back to Central America, or wherever he/she came from.) So... if they aren't supposed to be here, how can they apply for ANYTHING - driver license, college, etc.?

Also, you need a HS transcript to enter college as far as I know, so do they have that?

There are way too many American kids that can't afford to go. We should be taking the money it costs to hear and judge these cases and be using it for them, not wasting our time and money.

[FITZ]

don't hear "illegal alien" anymore on the news, it's "undocumented immigrants" who will be allowed to get driver's licenses

It seems that soon we'll be able to call illegals and probably most other Mexican citizens "California licensed".

[happygrl]

public institutions may not do so...

That would inevitably lead some immigration reform groups, in states that have given illegal immigrants this right, to sue.

We might get a Supreme Court Ruling on this.

I hope we'd be happy with the result.

[MontanaBeth]

"I say this is fine, except" What exactly is fine about it?

[gubamyster]

ping

[Starboard]

anonymous plaintiffs

We're claiming to have been treated unfairly but we're not going to reveal who we are. How weird is that?

[Sir Gawain]

Got a link to the story?