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Main Page Tuition For Illegal Immigrants Sparks Controversy
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: kwflatbed

Board Debates Who Is Eligible For In-State Tuition

Video: Tuition Debate Controversy

BOSTON -- Setting the stage for a new fight over the rights of illegal immigrants in Massachusetts, the state Board of Higher Education looked at whether illegal immigrant students should be entitled to in-state tuition rates if they go to a state university.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association said between 400 and 600 illegal immigrants would go on to higher learning if the Legislature approved a bill making them eligible for in-state tuition at state schools.

The issue was on the agenda at Thursday morning's meeting of the Board of Higher Education, which has supported the idea in the past. There was little discussion and no debate. The board chairman explained that the intent was to clarify misunderstandings about the proposed legislation.
"They don't take away from financial aid. They don't take anybody's space. They don't cost the state any extra money," Chairman Aaron Spencer said.

Gov. Deval Patrick supports the idea, which remains highly charged. Opponents weighing in on TheBostonChannel.com said, "call them what they are, illegal! They do not deserve in state tuition." And, "Of course not! What part of illegal doesn't Deval Patrick understand?"

Republican Rep. Jeffrey Perry said in-state tuition does not cover the entire cost of educating a student.

"It's pretty black and white to me. If you're here illegally, if you don't have a valid resident status here in Massachusetts, I don't believe the taxpayers should be subsidizing your education," Perry said.

"They need to have an education. Otherwise how will they support themselves? How would they support their family?" asked Denise Bruno Matthews of Bunker Hill Community College.

"I've really seen a lot of support amongst those student leaders out there for providing in state tuition for illegal immigrants. I mean, we're all part of the same society over here," said Jake Oliveira, who is a board student representative.

Even though the board's view on the issue doesn't decide anything, Spencer said he does hope it carries some weight for the Legislature to consider when it makes its decision.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news...99/detail.html

Posted by: girlcop21

To quote someone in the above article, my thoughts on this issue are simple...

"call them what they are, ILLEGAL! They do not deserve in state tuition."

Illegal means NOT legal, hence they do not belong in this state or country, nor should they get any of the perks associated with being a legal resident. Kids that are non residents of the state have to pay extra, why should we let the illegals slide by?

Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

only thing they should get is a one way trip out of our country!

Posted by: SOT

Maybe it's all a ploy to round them up. I mean won't they have to declare their status to get instate tuition?

Posted by: CJIS

This Is Bull

Posted by: adroitcuffs

This is pure rubbish. We've been dealing with this in Cali for years now. It slays me that when I move to MA, I'll have to wait the prescribed amount of time to "establish residency" (since simply purchasing a home isn't good enough), yet if I was illegal, I could pay resident tuition.... Grrrrr!!!

I agree - illegal is ILLEGAL!!!

Posted by: JoninNH

Quote:

Originally Posted by adroitcuffs

This is pure rubbish. We've been dealing with this in Cali for years now. It slays me that when I move to MA, I'll have to wait the prescribed amount of time to "establish residency" (since simply purchasing a home isn't good enough), yet if I was illegal, I could pay resident tuition.... Grrrrr!!!

I agree - illegal is ILLEGAL!!!

Exactly!! What's next, giving illegal's residency status on civil service????

Posted by: pahapoika

Exactly!! What's next, giving illegal's residency status on civil service????

i wouldn't doubt it

Posted by: DeputyFife

Published: 04/21/2007
Debate over tuition for illegal immigrants heats up
By Mini Kolluri
Correspondent

BOSTON - The state has more to gain than to lose by allowing the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges, a new study says.

The study, approved by the state Board of Higher Education this week, comes as the Legislature girds for another debate of the controversial subject early this summer.
Based on information from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the report said making it less expensive for children of illegal immigrants to attend state colleges would actually add $2.5 million to the state economy.
It estimated that 400 to 600 students would be affected by the change.
Supporters of the change - who include Rep. John Keenan, D-Salem - say there's also value beyond money in extending educational opportunities.
"In my family, my parents did not go to college, and my siblings and I did. I understand the value of education," Keenan said. "Everyone should have an opportunity to do well."
On average, a student charged the out-of-state fee pays $30,000 more than an in-state student over a four-year period, the report said. By charging the in-state tuition rate, college would be made more affordable to children of illegal immigrants who might forgo higher education, supporters contend.
But the report did not change the minds of some lawmakers. "In the current financial situation we are in, we should not spend a single dollar to help something that's illegal," said Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill. "Last year, we defeated a similar proposal by a huge margin, and I'm still not willing to move in that direction."
A bill allowing children of illegal immigrants to receive the in-state tuition rate at state schools was defeated in the Legislature last year. Two similar bills were filed this year. Gov. Deval Patrick supports giving children of illegal immigrants the in-state rate.
The new House version would require students to seek citizenship or permanent residency status. The new Senate bill would not. Both bills bar public financial aid to undocumented immigrants.
Ten states, including California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and New York, have similar laws allowing in-state tuition.
Students paying in-state tuition at North Shore Community College would save $6,970 a year, the study said. The difference is similar at Northern Essex Community College and at Salem State College.

Critics of in-state rates contend that children of illegal immigrants would take positions at schools that could be filled by children of citizens, and those children would be squeezed out.
And Rep. Bradley Jones, R-North Reading, is concerned that additional illegal immigrants would crowd out legal citizens from other states who want to attend Massachusetts schools.
"There is nothing absolute that says that U.S. citizens who could have gotten in won't be affected," he said. "I read that UMass accepted only 60 percent of the applicants last year. Should we be increasing the applicant pool?"
But Aaron Spencer, chairman of the Board of Higher Education, said there actually is a surplus of spaces.
"There are excess seats in many colleges, and illegal immigrants should be given an opportunity to fill these," Spencer said.
Spencer also said that allowing students to pay lower tuition would help create a well-educated work force that would help attract businesses to Massachusetts.

Posted by: rg1283

Its hard enough to get into certain programs at certain state colleges, why should one have to compete with a bunch of illegals! Make them PAY. They don't pay taxes anyway the higher fees might help the state make some extra money off of their BS.

Posted by: OCKS

Why would this surprise anyone inthe land of Deval, Kennedy, Kerry and we can't forget Barney Frank!

Posted by: j809

I'd rather see them get an education, they are still paying for in-state tuition, who cares. It shows that they are trying to better themselves and are getting an education ,trying to become productive members of our society. This way they will also learn English and assimilate.

Posted by: Girevik

Quote:

Originally Posted by j809

I'd rather see them get an education, they are still paying for in-state tuition, who cares. It shows that they are trying to better themselves and are getting an education ,trying to become productive members of our society. This way they will also learn English and assimilate.

I'd rather see people who are found to have entered the United States illegally humanly deported back to where ever the Hell they came from. Your over looking the fundamental issue. Illegal immigrants have no claim to this land. American citizens have zero responsibility to illegal immigrants. The very notion of granting them the rights of citizens or special consideration is preposterous.

Posted by: JoninNH

Quote:

Originally Posted by j809

Illegal immigration is a felony. There is a mechanisim for entering this country legally. Illegal immigrants chose not to follow the law when entering this country. Say what you will, there is some Juan or Jose out there who is patiently waiting for ICE and the State Department to clear him so he can come to this country legally. You hear it all the time. Illegal immigrants are here to better themselves or to work, or because they have family here. I'm not arguing that point, they probably are. But what does it say about the character and integrity of these people when the first thing they do upon stepping on American soil is commit a felony? I would much rather have the Juan or Jose who went thru the process to legally become a resident here as my neighbor, than someone who thinks nothing of committing a few felonies.

J809, would you be so amicable to a bill which gave convicted felons in-state tuition? After all, they are just trying to better themselves and learn, and trying to become productive citizens?

Posted by: Killjoy

In his book Mexifornia Professor Victor Davis Hanson relates something that one of his students told him. A student, who was from Idaho, told him since California gives in-state tuition to illegals, it would be cheaper for him to renounce his US citizenship, move to Mexico, and enter the country illegally, then to pay the out-of-state tuition UCal charged him. Makes you think, huh?

Posted by: dcs2244

Hey, you all voted for Deval...he was all about this anyway: what did you expect.

I guess it's too late for the "bullet-in-the-back-of-the-neck-clandestine-grave" thingie...

Ah, well...you get the government you deserve.

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