<p>Florida is willing to spend $50 million per year to educate illegal immigrants but won’t accept free Medicaid expansion for up to 3 years for several hundred thousands Floridians. Simply puzzling! </p>
<p>“All politics is local,” said Thomas P. O’Neill. And this situation in Florida most definitely was promoted with local politics in mind.</p>
<p>No I do NOT think we tell these folks “sorry that you played by the rules.” If anything we need to continue to ship back the ones who have been here for long periods of time withOUT playing by the rules. But we need to make the path much more clear and less entailed in red tape and most of all we need to make it easier for the 18 year old who has been here since age 1-2-3 AND has the GPA and test scores to get into college.</p>
<p>Please remember that we are not talking about high achievers here. We are talking about everyone. GPA and test scores are irrelevant at the local CC.</p>
<p>At a Florida CC’s tuition is about $100 a credit hour for in-state and anywhere from $300 to $400 for non-residents. </p>
<p>At Florida Universities OOS tuition varies, but in-state would be about $6,300 a year, while OOS is anywhere from about $17,000 to $28,000 ($600 to $900+ a credit hour) a year. </p>
<p>Well, it all adds up. Much larger numbers will attend the CC’s, obviously.</p>
<p>I have a problem with the fact that if there ever is a draft they won’t have to go but my sons will.</p>
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Wow, GOOD point!</p>
<p>Va’s AG was out of line in making the determination that illegals can get instate tuition. That is something the legislature should determine. Instate tuition is a privilege and not a right. </p>
<p>@MichiganGeorgia </p>
<p>Undocumented immigrants are required to register for Selective Service. It’s a federal requirement.</p>
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<p>This is a direction a lot of states are going–giving in state tuition to illegal immigrants. If the rules are such that they are for ALL covered by the provisions, such as LEGAL immigrants, internationals, all who are playing by the rules, then if the state wants to expand instate rates to those who can show they have been living in the state for three years, that’s not so bad, though truly there is a cost to that. It’s not a freebie. </p>
<p>The problem is that NOT providing these kids who are here because their parents are, can result in far worse consequences and more expense. That’s why there are medical services and school services made available to those here illegally. There is a moral standard in the picture of caring for those who can’t care for themselves in the picture. I do feel strongly that the laws for those here illegally need to be changed one way of the other so the situation is not such a hypocritical mockery of the way we are. it’s ridiculous, beyond ridiculous that we look the other way even while we have armed guards and barbed wire at the borders. That one part of government and society out and out abets this while the other is actively fighting it. </p>
<p>Whether you agree with laws regarding illegal immigration or not, there is a problem with states (well Maryland at least) in that there needs to be a distinction between illegal immigrants and undocumented citizens. I know of one case at least where a student was here legally but undocumented - an adoption. According to law (<a href=“https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/laws/federal/”>https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/laws/federal/</a>), this person was granted automatic citizenship because she met all the requirements outlined by the law, but was not given documented papers for citizenship. When she went to enroll in an in-state college, she was required to show documentation - which she didn’t have enough of. Her re-adoption paperwork was not enough - for this college at least - even with the law. She was faced with an agonizing choice of choosing go declare herself illegal or choosing not to get a college education (in her case, she couldn’t afford out of state tuition.) It is definitely an unfortunate situation. I believe her parents are in the process of obtaining the required proof of citizenship - which isn’t cheap ($550 in case you wondered 
) While I certainly have my own opinions regarding illegal immigrants getting in-state tuition, I do believe the laws need to be more clear. Another link that I just read is actually a little easier to see why some children need proof of citizenship and others do not.
<a href=“When does an internationally adopted child become a United States Citizen?”>http://www.theadoptionfirm.com/2012/03/02/when-does-an-internationally-adopted-child-become-a-united-states-citizen/</a> </p>
<p>Allowing in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants was one of the very few positive, significant accomplishments by Florida legislators this just finished legislative session.</p>
<p><a href=“Editorial: Florida's step forward for immigrants”>http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-floridas-step-forward-for-immigrants/2178092</a></p>
<p>I agree lizard. Just curious, and maybe I missed an explanation, but are there other ways someone could be here legally, yet not be documented? Adoption is the only type that I can think of.</p>
<p>Why do we have in-state tuition?
A benefit for tax payers?</p>
<p>Also, given that illegal immigrants are living in your state, wouldn’t it be better for them to be better educated?</p>
<p>Adoption is a paperwork issue. I agree with cpt. It’s either illegal or it isn’t. If it’s illegal then to have our government say. “Oh well now what,” makes no sense. Except politically. That’s transparent.</p>
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<p>No doubt the countries in which we have lived as expats would love our kids to be better educated. These countries want our kids to either pay full-tuition in their country, or go back to the U.S. to get educated on our own taxpayer’s dime, not theirs. </p>
<p>No, I am not one bit interested in illegals or their children getting educated until their illegal status is fixed. It’s gone too far and too long IMO. It’s ridiculous. These stop gap measures are long out of control. So they get state rates, need fin aid next, then a legal job too? Why bother trying to come here legally? You know there are many, many who are in line, trying to do things legally. It’s easier and faster to do it illegally. Something really wrong when things are that way, and we let it so progress, I think that the Florida legislators should be ashamed of themselves adding more bandages onto this mess. I’m seeing a lot of the seamy side of this, and I don’t blame the immigrants but I blame US, as a country and individuals letting this hypocrisy balloon into what it has. It’s not right, not just, not fair. Given those who are often pro illegals, I sniff a lot the stench of personal gain in letting the situation fester the way it has. Not all, no, there are those who feel the way they do for compassion and moral reasons, but the reason, we haven’t packed the whole kit a kaboodle out and away through many changes of government is not for those reasons, I assure anyone. </p>
<p>There are times when the paper work needs to catch up to a situation, and I am not referring to those scenarios at all. You don’t see how ridiculous it is that someone as in Davenmame’s post can’t get in state tuition when all is done according to the rules, but someone who is blatantly illegally in this country can sail in and get the in state rates? </p>
<p>If I have family from out of the country, out of the state, heck, just out of district live with me legally we have to pay about $20K a year tuition to go to the public school. Yes, my brother did just that, as he abides by the law and wanted no quasi situations, when he had his niece stay with them for a year of high school. Yet, all around us are illegal immigrants and their kids, many of them not paying a dime in taxes, needing all kinds of school services that I am paying with my tax dollar all in school. How they get their paperwork through, I have no idea, but I assure you they are not paying that $20K a year tuition. Some are US citizens, yes because they were born here to parents who are illegally here. Some are illegals too, but the go to our local school, oh yes they do. Now you tell me, if something isn’t right here. This is pure insanity, IMO. </p>
<p>I do feel bad for the kids that were brought here through no fault of there own and want a better life. However, by letting this continue, it just invites more of the same. If their kids were not allowed to attend school and get the free benefits, they wouldn’t come, simple as that. Heck, I have health insurance and my daughter needed an MRI. It was a $2,000 deductible and I just paid the anesthesiology and hospital bill of $1,780. When I had to take my kid to the ER, I had to whip out my insurance card. What if I was illegal … I could’ve waltzed in there and been treated for free. Because of all the free services being doled out, I had to pay out of pocket $3,780 to pay for the services others get for free. And on top of it, I have quite a bit taken out of my paycheck every other week for my health insurance. If I need anymore medical services, I’ll probably go broke. My D starts college in the fall. I am so happy now that she’s going to a private school instead of the state school. Now the state schools will have even less money to spend because of all the kids getting in-state tuition status.</p>
<p>@funandsun I know what point you are trying to make, but because of the EMTALA law, an illegal or American can “waltz into the ER” and be treated for free. Sure, they get a bill, but like some Americans, may never pay it.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, if Floridians choose to use their tax dollars to support these undocumented students, then we just have to move on.</p>