Posted on 04/23/2015 10:13:52 AM PDT by SharpRightTurn
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - A bill that would offer in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in Tennessee failed to pass the legislature on Wednesday.
View from the Hill
State lawmakers argued for more than two hours on the bill that has been four years in the making.
The issue had bipartisan support, but many teetered on if this was an education issue or about immigration reform.
Ultimately, the bill failed by a single vote.
Several students dressed in graduation caps and gowns came to the state House to support the bill. They carried signs to represent the jobs they hope to have someday.
"We have two choice: do we allow them to get an education or do we say, 'No, you're off on your own,'" said Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale.
The students said they were disappointed but not defeated.
"It's very nerve-wracking to be there and to hear them talk about our future and our lives," said Cesar Bautista, who has been in Tennessee for 13 years.
Bautista would have qualified for in-state tuition under the bill. Currently, students recognized as "lawfully present" pay three times more to attend college because they don't qualify for in-state rates.
Bautista said he enrolled for three semesters at Volunteer State Community College before having to drop out.
"We couldn't really continue... making the payments," he said. "My mom, she had to get a second job to try to keep up with the payments. Ultimately, we had to drop out. I enrolled again and this time I'm just taking one class per semester."
Lawmakers went back and forth on whether the issue was fair or legal.
"I really don't think that this body, at least I hope a majority of this body, would not vote to affirm and to codify President Obama's executive order on amnesty," said Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough.
Immigrants' rights advocates said they are proud they've gotten this far after four years.
"I think here in the future, we are just going to work that much harder," said Eben Cathey, with the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugee Rights Coalition.
Three legislators were no-shows for the vote on Wednesday. Some said their expected yes votes would have made the difference.
The office of Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Old Hickory, said he was attending a pre-scheduled conference in Washington. Jernigan sent out a tweet saying he hated he missed the vote.
Jernigan was excused by Speaker Beth Harwell last week. Harwell was also missing, but said she didn't support the measure.
Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, was reportedly another yes vote, but had a meeting at work.
According to an Associated Propaganda story (http://www.timesdaily.com/ap/state/tennessee-tuition-equality-bill-dead-this-session/article_27e6dab0-82fd-51b6-a3eb-a358bb4a65b5.html):
"Under the proposal, students considered “lawfully present” in the U.S. through a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals would qualify for in-state tuition. Such students now pay nearly three times as much for higher education — the out-of-state rate — even if they’ve lived in Tennessee for most of their lives.
"The legislation, which failed last year, gained momentum in the legislative process this year once it was amended to apply to students only in the DACA program. Despite the change, opponents — mostly Republicans — still were concerned such a proposal would be a slippery slope that might encourage illegal immigration."
Apparently five states (Alabama, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia) have passed legislation similar to the bill that was voted down in Tennessee
Despite the improvement in the line-ups in the Tennessee general assembly, there are still too many Republicans who have no problem with lots of immigration and big government.
Now, deport those illegal aliens. No state should give illegal aliens discounted tuition and access to schools until they give the same discounted tuition to all American citizens and first fill seats with Americans. Again, deport illegal aliens (and their parents).
Cry me a freaking river, Mr. Bautista. What makes you a special breed to cat to qualify for in-state tuition when some poor schlub moving into the state can't do the same?
When I was a young father and my mama was not making my tuition payments, I worked full time, took one class per semester when the schedule got too right and still managed to graduate. What is preventing you from doing the same?
Why not just have one tuition? As far as economics it makes no sense. Political BS is everywhere.
Tennessee must be awful rich to pay for college educations for citizens of other countries.
“Tennesee must be awful rich...”
Nope. Paying for all illegals’ present and future needs are expected to be paid for in full by everyone who is here legally. According to Liberals, its the right thing to do.
I did the same. Working full-time (sometimes an additional part-time) and carrying 12-15 hours a semester (and summers). I took me 6 years but I paid for it myself.
If these bills ever look like they are going to pass, the Republicans who still have spines ought to offer an amendment that these illegals be treated as out-of-state residents (because they are) and have to pay the higher rates. Then watch the Democrats contort themselves as they try and explain why an illegal alien should be treated better than a native-born student.
Wow, I guess they don’t have a heart. We all know that true conservative states like Texas overwhelmingly support this. < /sarcasm>
“Wow, I guess they don’t have a heart. We all know that true conservative states like Texas overwhelmingly support this. < /sarcasm>”
Yeah, as Jebbie would say, “a real act of love” to treat non-citizens better than citizens.
I’m sure the Invasion backers will be back next year to push this again. The war never ends.
Interesting how they think its “cruel” and “heartless” to charge illegal aliens higher tuition rates, but NOT to charge those same higher rates to taxpaying American citizens from other states. Rick Perry and the University of Texas treats illegal aliens better than me.
I’ll tell you what should be preventing him from doing the same thing.
He is an illegal alien.
He should not even be able to enroll!!!
He should not be able to get a job. He should not have been able to enroll in high school. He should not be able to get a Social Security Card or a driver’s license.
The man is illegally in the country and he should be detained and deported. There should be no appeals process and if he returns he should be imprisoned and be deported immediately after serving his sentence.
Stop treating illegal immigrants like our long lost cousins and treat them like what they are criminals.
Agreed - way too close.
My question is, if someone broke into these folks home, would you be obligated to wait on them, giving them food and water?
If so, guess I need to look up some addresses.
If not, then why do they get a “discount” for being in the country illegally?
And - if we’re giving in-state tuition to those in the state illegally, why not just do away with in-state/out-of-state tuition differences? Because you can bet your ass I’d be suing the university (and thus, the state), because they’re charging my precious little darlings MORE just because we’re legal. Isn’t that an Article IV issue? (protecting from invasion)? Equal protection under the law? (I know, it’s rarely been used in the purposes of taxation)...
every ILLEGAL alien in college is taking a seat from a citizen of the USA or from a LEGAL resident.
If colleges are so desperate for student loan dollars, then their junk studies departments should be shut down.
This was about guaranteed student loans to INDOCRINATE illegals to vote for socialist democrats.
“I’ll tell you what should be preventing him from doing the same thing. He is an illegal alien. He should not even be able to enroll!!! He should not be able to get a job. He should not have been able to enroll in high school. He should not be able to get a Social Security Card or a driver’s license. The man is illegally in the country and he should be detained and deported. There should be no appeals process and if he returns he should be imprisoned and be deported immediately after serving his sentence. Stop treating illegal immigrants like our long lost cousins and treat them like what they are criminals.”
I’m completely onboard.
“My question is, if someone broke into these folks home, would you be obligated to wait on them, giving them food and water?”
The legislators who voted for this travesty apparently cannot make meaningful analogies like you just did.
Several good articles out there today.
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