<p>Texas was the first state to pass a law of this type in the nation in 2001, and California followed shortly thereafter, also in 2001. The laws of the two states are nearly identical in provision, i.e., they both allow for in-state tuition for three types of students, two of which are “legal” and one of which is the undocumented student at issue in this thread.</p>
<p>The numbers of undocumented students who have taken advantage of the law have run about the same in both states–1% or fewer.</p>
<p>So, respectfully, I don’t think my observations are “OFF TOPIC.” The experiences of our states are very similar. And to be sure, there are plenty of Texans who dislike this law just as there are plenty of Californians who dislike this like.</p>
<p>The only difference between California and Texas is, California provides no state aid to these students. Texas does. </p>
<p>And responsive to mokusatsu, federal aid is NOT available to any of these kids, regardless of states.</p>
<p>epiphany, your repeated reference to the desirability of a federal solution is not, to use your words, “ON TOPIC” because the federal government has no say in state education policy and law. The federal role in this issue is limited to the issue of the path to US citizenship for these immigrants. </p>
<p>Which is really the point here, as I see it. </p>
<p>Let’s look at the school pie of students. Let’s say it is composed as follows:</p>
<p>20% paying out of state / international tuition
63% paying in-state tuition and receiving state and/or federal aid (this was UC’s number for the 2008-09 school year)
17% paying in-state tuition at 100% rate, 1% of whom are undocumented students</p>
<p>The issue at hand, then, whether it’s you in California or me in Texas is, </p>
<p>Do I, as a taxpayer, have a problem with my state tax dollars allowing 1% of the seats in class to be occupied by Jose instead of Joseph?</p>
<p>Or do I, as a taxpayer, support my state tax dollars allowing 1% of the seats in the class to be occupied by the most competitive applicant for that educational experience?</p>
<p>Many posters on this thread have been very honest in expressing their opinion that no, they don’t support in-state tuition because it is unfair for an undocumented student to take the place of a citizen. I may not agree with that position, but I respect the honesty of it.</p>