Md. House passes bill allowing illegal immigrants in-state tuition

<p>SueMac,
What will he do in Mexico? Will he attend college there? Why does he think he needs a college education to get a job here?</p>

<p>Interficiao: I get that you are a young adult and want a bright future, which is wonderful, but the US is a mature economy that is struggling to put its youth, let alone college graduates into meaningful jobs and careers. Many people on this forum have a grad, or their relative has a grad who is not employed or under employed and living at their parents home. They are 25+ now- it’s becoming a permanent sub-class. The gov’t wants parents to put these adults on their insurance until they are 26- as if that solves the problem. </p>

<p>Your parents came here illegally and have been able to stay and you and your siblings have had a free k-12 public education. That is all the citizens of this country are entitled too. Our kids can’t go to other states and illegally get instate tuition- no, in fact they are being priced out or their own states and if their families have any means or are able to get loans they are expected to pay inflated OOS tuition because their home states budget is being met by limiting in state students in order to get higher fee’s for OOS. Now, how is it you are entitled to instate tuition? If you were in California, which already has this law, there is a law being voted on right now to provide financial aid for students here illegally. </p>

<p>You see, it is not personal, you have been educated in this country and that is all many citizens’ are able to afford. There is not enough to go around to people who are already here legally and have been paying taxes for generations.</p>

<p>You should try working in European countries, or Asian countries as an American citizen. Unless you work for an international company- very limited access.</p>

<p>I am sorry for your situation, Your parents made a choice to not start the legalization process when they first came here. Or, go through the amnisty program which was suppose to solve this issue but it did not. But, I am very concerned for our educated generation in their 20’s who are not finding career building jobs. That needs to be our national priority. </p>

<p>Many U.S. parents make choices that negatively impact their children, often for life- your parents made their choice too.</p>

<p>Nicely said, OlympicLady.</p>

<p>There is always more to a story then at first glance. A story on the radio a couple of weeks ago discussing the crackdown of illegal aliens in Texas gave two sides to the issue. The obvious side was the current political climate regarding Tea Party issues and then the story ended with the Texas business community point of view of tightening immigration law to rid the state of illegal aliens. Everyone thinks they are a liability but this is not always the case.</p>

<p>“The impact on the Texas state economy of immigrant labor is about $17 billion a year,” he says. “That’s an enormous segment of our economy, and we simply would not be able to function without these people.”</p>

<p>Until this year, Hammond and his Republican allies in the Texas Legislature have been able to kill most immigration bills in committee. Hammond would like to expand the immigration pipeline to allow more workers to legally enter the state. That proposal currently has zero chance.</p>

<p>This bill is absurd.</p>

<p>How many illegal citizens can the Maryland school system handle ? How much consideration or weight was giving to this question? If your a neighboring state who does not have a similar policy do you send your illegal citizens to Md. to be educated ? Do foreign citizens now flock to these states in increased numbers after hearing the good news? What are the unintended consequences of “feel good” legislation? All Americans no matter what nationality should be concerned about unfettered immigration and its cost on their communities!</p>

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<p>A specious (and slightly offensive to African-Americans) anology. Those who have immigrated to the United States have done so of their own volition. African-Americans in the US had no such choice. So yes, correcting a historical displacement is not the same as correcting a choice made by immigrants to this country.</p>

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<p>It’s not about some rhetorical “right” - it is about resources pure and simple. It is common fact that the immigration process in this country is pathetic, however the alternative isn’t to say “Screw it - I’m here and theres nothing you can do about it.” The fact of the matter is, if you did not go through proper channels to become an American citizen then yes, you are in fact here illegally, and are an international student. It has NOTHING to do with “lumping you in. . .” and everything to do with legal status.</p>

<p>I’m not a big fan of this legislation - but view it as the lesser of 2 evils. If you take a student who was brought to the US as a toddler and has lived in Maryland for years - what are the options? Deporting them seems cruel and heartless. Not educating them means they are less likely to be productive taxpayers in the future. Giving them a reasonable path to education and then to citizenship does seem to me to be the best alternative. I hate rewarding people who are here illegally - but as others have said - these teens had no say in the matter and really bear no responsibility for their status in the country. I’d rather they have educational opportunities than allow gang membership to take hold - that has become an increasingly serious issue in Maryland. It’s just sad that this issue of illegal immigrants has been allowed to fester unresolved for so many years - the Federal government has completely dropped the ball and we are all paying for it.</p>

<p>I agree with you, rockvillemom. At the same time I wonder (and I should know) how residency is established for community colleges. It is my impression that a student doesn’t really prove residency. If they attended the local public schools, they are considered residents. I would also guess that across the country flagship universities have been admitting and charging students who have been attending in-state high schools as in-state residents. Someone finally asked the question: Are these students here legally? </p>

<p>The illegal status is not new, but questioning it is fairly new. A person can certainly reside in a state without being there legally.</p>

<p>Not that our schools should be our police (although that certainly is a topic for another thread), but why don’t schools require proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status for enrollment? Education is certainly something that illegal immigrants want for their children. Additionally, particularly in states like Texas, Florida, and California (who I think have the higher percentages of cost in regard to illegal immigrants) extra language services are provided to those young people.</p>

<p>@ Interficiao:</p>

<p>Not to sound like a jerk but, there are MANY people (millions upon millions) who come from countries strife with corruption, civil war(s), and other events which forces them to consider leaving.</p>

<p>Your situation is not “more special” or “that much more important” than say people from the Ivory Coast, Libya, or Pakistan.</p>

<p>The reason people are upset is simple. American citizens and permanent residents from, lets say New York, who want to attend a school in Texas are forced to pay out-of-state tuition whereas an ILLEGAL immigrant who BROKE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS is ALLOWED to attend a public school and pay IN-STATE TUITION.</p>

<p>Do you not see this as unfair?</p>

<p>I’m all for giving people the opportunity to get an education and better themselves so that they can contribute to society, but don’t be so naive and think that when illegal immigrants come to this country they don’t take as much as they give.</p>

<p>Illegal immigrants are given aid (financial aid for colleges), welfare (food stamps), and even healthcare since the hospital is bound by law to help those in need and these hospitals can’t force you to pay since you are illegal.</p>

<p>Illegals are the reason why costs for legal immigration goes up every year and why there is a logjam for people trying to come to this country llegaly.</p>

<p>I hate to turn this into an illegal immigration debate/rant but this is a topic which affects me personally.</p>

<p>My parents spent thousands of dollars in legal fees, filing fees, etc in order to LEGALLY immigrate here. It took them almost five years to come to this great country that I proudly call home.</p>

<p>Illegal immigrants don’t deserve to get college educations here in the first place. I’m pretty liberal when it comes to most issues, but this is just ridiculous!</p>

<p>I hope this is a trap to catch illegals.</p>

<p>Sorry, this doesn’t seem very logical during these economic times.</p>

<p>ilikeUW:</p>

<p>Yea that makes sense. Keep the illegals uneducated and in low paying jobs. This country is made up from the really really rich to the really really poor. It doesn’t matter if you are born here or not it is a matter or trying to educate people to have options to a better life. More opportunities mean a greater chance in contributing to your future Social Security not being a drain on it.
If raising a family from the depths of poverty to a future of income only makes sense. A child that is bright enough to compete and succeed in this environment should be encouraged to do so. No one is after a free ride and education should be a priority rather than a privilege. Immigrants do pay taxes, the only exceptions are the immigrants who are paid under the table, no different then the US citizens that are working under the table and who are not contributing to the tax base.
We are already behind in education standards compared to the rest of the world.
I come from a single parent large family. I know the value of hard work and good work ethics and the value of education.</p>

<p>artrell… ummmm if illegal they are not supposed to be working here . I posted before that it took 4 years for our legal immigration to happen, alot of costs involved, lawyers, clearances etc but i forgot… it also included the requirement that my H’s job was posted/advertised so that an american could apply for the job.<br>
Yes education is important, yes the children of illegals did not have a choice to come here, but, perhaps the emphasis should be on a solution to making their status legal… employers are supposed to check and verify eligibility to work… and if they dont have the necessary papers to work, then what good is that college diploma?</p>

<p>Many moderator visits have been required to keep this thread within Terms of Service.</p>

<p>Please stay on topic with the title of this thread so that it may continue. </p>

<p>Welcome: Comments specific to the Maryland House bill concerning in-state tuition rates for the CHILDREN of illegal immigrants./ </p>

<p>Not welcome: Rants about national immigration policies, economic injustice in American labor…</p>

<p>Well all those things are intertwined… oh well, at least I got to vent. All I’m saying then is that a lot of non-resident aliens pay all the taxes normal citizens pay for their state, and as a result should have access to in-state education. If the non-resident/citizen alien cannot provide proof of paying taxes consistently, then I completely agree that the alien should not be able to receive in-state tuition. But as someone mentioned, if you believe the minors who were brought here by their parents should not be able to receive an affordable education (and a giant SMH to the person who suggested that illegals not be allowed in any education system at all.), what else should they do? You mention a drain on the economy, but more affordable access to education would keep a lot of good kids who might otherwise be tempted by unsavory activities off the streets and allow them to succeed and help their community and the economy. Many of these non-residents who are considered international do indeed have legal work permits but are considered on the same boat as full-out illegal immigrants when it comes to tuition, although they pay taxes and are here legally. No one ever clarified as to whether the bill specified illegal immigrants or simply non-resident aliens? If it was the latter, the plan clearly makes sense and is a utility, not a burden, upon the state’s ultimate welfare. Long story short, it’s easy for citizens to just say illegals outright violated laws by coming here and deserve no resources; it’s also easy for illegals to consider the fact that this country would not let them in legally in the time span during which they must get a job lest their families starve and citizens should just deal with their presence. No one seems to be searching for a compromise which allows for a less convoluted immigration system which would reward the immigrants willing to work hard and study hard, weed out the criminal dependents, and allow immigrants to remain here legally while contributing to and minimizing their burden upon their respective communities. </p>

<p>Love, a kid who is here legally and whose parents consistently pay taxes, but cannot apply to any of the great in-state colleges because I’m considered international and tuition is too much to bear. Oh, I also can’t apply to any of those cool, helpful scholarships which your college-bound children love so much. But my parents made their choice, I guess.</p>

<p>It bothers me because while Maryland is giving illegals instate tuition, it is no longer accepting new programs into the Academic Common Market. (Through the ACM, students can get instate tuition at participating institutions of the Southern Regional Education Board for programs not offered in home state.)</p>

<p>Many interesting points have been made. Thread requires undue moderator attention to stay within CC’s Terms of Service. Thread closed.</p>