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Posted on 10/26/2011 12:34:55 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[embedded LINKS at source]
Have you heard? “The government is subsidizing illegal immigration! The Texas DREAM Act grants amnesty! Illegal immigrants are going to college for FREE!”
Hold your horses, folks. These statements, which are hurled at Gov. Rick Perry from both sides of the political spectrum, are simply not true.
In-state tuition for illegal immigrants is a hard policy to argue because it rests on such a thin line between supporting education and rewarding law-breaking. Admittedly, the governor didn’t argue the case well when he said opponents of this policy “don’t have a heart.” (He’s since recanted that statement.) But the people of Texas and the law support it and, when you know the truth, the policy is really not as controversial as it sounds.
Let’s start with the facts.
Those officially qualified as residents of the state of Texas are eligible for reduced in-state tuition rates at public universities. Resident status, as defined by the Texas Education Code §54.052 and §54.053, requires the following:
* Citizens must have lived in Texas for a minimum of three years and have graduated from a Texas high school. * Non-citizens must have lived in Texas for a minimum of three years, have graduated from a Texas high school, and commit to starting the process of obtaining legal citizenship.
It’s that simple.
Critics say it’s a policy Texans don’t support. But it was overwhelmingly passed by the state legislature in 2001 with just five dissenting votes out of the 181 members in both houses. If that isn’t a majority, and a bipartisan one at that, I don’t know what is.
Other skeptics say it creates an unmanageable drain in tuition dollars and costs taxpayers millions. But in the 2010 fiscal year, only about 16,476 students out of 1.3 million, most at two-year community colleges, took the reduced rates. That’s about one percent – hardly a takeover of the public education system. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board estimated that, “assuming many of these students would enroll in less expensive schools or drop out altogether if faced with higher tuition costs,” the state would actually lose almost $92 million if the policy were repealed.
Still others say it’s the equivalent of amnesty. This is the one point that makes my internal alarm begin to chirp. I do not and will never condone illegal immigration or amnesty for illegal immigrants in any form – but the fact is, many of these students were brought to the U.S. by their parents. They are committing themselves to furthering their education, making a better life for themselves, and becoming productive citizens. This policy makes the best of a bad situation.
In the words of Geoffrey Tahuahua, Texas state chair of Students for Rick Perry, “Rather than allowing these kids to be a burden on the system, it’s better to encourage them to become educated contributors to our economy and our society.”
And Texas is not the only state to offer in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. According to CNN, California, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin have similar policies (though Wisconsin’s may be set to expire this year).
Bottom line, in-state tuition facilitates the education of young people and commits them to obtaining citizenship. That’s the crucial piece of the puzzle.
Finally, in-state tuition is just that: a state issue. Not once has Governor Perry advocated for the federal government or other states to adopt this policy. He has yet to indicate that he would do so as President. The fact is, this policy is legal, and it has no real negative consequences. Until the border is actually secured, I can see no reason to repeal this law.
You may not like it, but it works for Texas. And as y’all know, it’s never a good idea to mess with Texas.
Hey, my understanding from the anti-illegal crowd that it’s open season on illegals ‘cause they’re invaders, so grab up yer gun and have at them!
If we are going to let illegals stay for years then we need to treat them like equals instead of an underclass. If they can prove they lived in Texas long enough to meet the residency requirements, let them have the in-state tuition. If we enforce the existing law and deported them, tuition wouldn’t be an issue.
I don’t have a problem with in-state tuition.
I have a problem with not enforcing existing immigration law and letting them stay here.
And if what I’ve heard about legal green card recipients, being able to work in the U.S. tax exempt is true, then we are actually providing incentives to hire non-citizens.
“Seems like we’ve seen this movie before. It didn’t end well.”
Except Bush was probably smarter than Perrywinkle. Oh my gosh, I can’t imagine GWB being smarter than anyone. Better than the alternatives in 2000 and 2004, but still an unmitigated disaster.
perrywinkle is just a dumber Marlboro man.
Hi cincinatus’ wife...you must have the vapors for his huckster.
“Seems like we’ve seen this movie before. It didn’t end well.”
Except Bush was probably smarter than Perrywinkle. Oh my gosh, I can’t imagine GWB being smarter than anyone. Better than the alternatives in 2000 and 2004, but still an unmitigated disaster.
perrywinkle is just a dumber Marlboro man.
Hi cincinatus’ wife...you must have the vapors for this huckster.
So the illegals feigned a Royal Flush and the governor of Texas decides to fold? How about calling their bluff and providing no access to Texas universities without proving legal status? What were the illegals going to do, move to California or another state? Good riddance if they did, let them be some other state's problem. Instead he chose to continue providing them benefits and attracting EVEN MORE illegals to enter.
I liked it both times.
Do-over is coming.
In fact he is outspokenly against the federal DREAM act.
Perry has been trying to work with the U.S. government and the Mexican government to stop the violence on the border, get it sealed and has tried to convince Mexican presidents to start building a middle class in their country.
Perry doesn’t believe in amnesty and has done as much as he can a border governor. This can only be repaired and the border sealed when a president who understands it and wants to do something about it is elected. That is Perry.
>> A dozen states have similar policies. <<
I unfortunately live in one of those dozen states. (Obama’s home state, as Perry fans are quick to remind me). It also passed by overwheming “bi-partisan” vote of the state legislature, and it also grants “in-state tuition rates” to illegal aliens in our state that law-abiding citizens of the other 49 states don’t have access to.
“Today’s bipartisan vote in the Illinois House is truly historic,” said Lawrence Benito, deputy director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which spearheaded passage of the bill. “This vote is a victory for our state and an important step forward in recognizing the contributions of immigrants.”
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/illinois-latest-state-pass-dream-act-160318716.html
I hold no double standards. I opposed it when MY state passed it, and I oppose Rick Perry doing the same in his state (to be fair though... Perry started this cr@p, the Chicago machine politicians in my state simply followed his lead). Just because stupid Republican politicians sell us out and go along with this liberal garbage, doesn’t make it right or mean that “the people” in these dozen states want it. Just because a bunch of media elites love it, doesn’t mean it’s “working” in our state. Those of us who worked our butts off and struggled to pay for college and could not AFFORD to go to college in another state resent foriegn criminals sneaking into our country and getting benefits we don’t have.
If you support it, that’s your buisness, but I’m going to excise my right to oppose politicians that passed the DREAM act, INCLUDING Rick Perry.
Ah for the “if you dislike it, why didn’t you vote for those legislators OUT?” excuse, believe me we’ve tried but the districts are gerrymandered so the incumbent combine crooks win no matter what. Last November, the people of my township voted AGAINST the Chicago machine hack (by a vote of 53% GOP - 47% DEM)that the machine put up. But he got over 70% of the vote in 1/3rd of the district located within Chicago city limits and won anyway. Ain’t that a kick in the pants?
http://results.cookcountyclerk.com/Detail.aspx?eid=110210&rid=54&vfor=1&twpftr=1
"I actually did vote for the $87 Billion, before I voted against it"
Foreign people here under student visas pay the highest possible tuition rates.... UNLESS....... they are illegal aliens...... who didn't bother getting a student visa.
The preference is not only for Mexicans over Americans, it's Mexicans over foreigners who obey our laws regarding legal entry.
I thought I had read articles or freeper comments stating Perry was weak on the border fence? You are telling me that is not so?
In-state tuition doesn’t bother me. But if Perry is weak on the border, that’s an issue.
Think about it ~ someone who pays nothing!!!!!
Frankly, I have no problem with that. Let the citizens round ‘em up alive and pay a bounty. Open season, no limit, targets must be over 18 years of age. Deliver to FEMA camp. Collect $100 per specimen.
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