Posted on 03/31/2006 9:49:44 PM PST by Coleus
TRENTON – As the U.S. Senate continued debates on how to handle the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, more than 100 people rallied outside the State House on Thursday to demand that undocumented students be allowed to pay in-state college tuition rates.
The protesters, mainly Latino college students and undocumented immigrants from around the state, expressed frustration over a bill in the Education Committee of the state Senate that has languished since 2003. The bill would allow illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition rates. A similar legislative proposal, known as the DREAM Act, is pending at the federal level.
"It's not my fault that I am here, it was not my decision to come here," said Evelyn Gonzalez, a high school senior whose family came illegally from El Salvador. "My life is here in New Jersey." Standing at a podium outside the State House, Gonzalez said to cheers: "My friends, my family, my education and my future are all here, and I feel like there is nothing worse for me than not being able to go to college because I am part of this culture now."
Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, told the crowd that he found little logic in public policy that deems it crucial that all children, regardless of immigration status, receive an education, but that then makes it difficult for undocumented students to continue studying after high school. "We all pay for that public education to develop those minds," Rice said. "The only world they know is this country. Yet when the time comes to go to college, they're treated [differently]."
Linden resident Ron Bass thinks students like Gonzalez should be treated differently from students who live here legally. Bass, founder of United Patriots of America, a group that favors strict immigration enforcement, said: "She and her family should be deported. They shouldn't be here. They broke our laws."
The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act forbade states from granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants based on residency because those students would be paying less than out-of-state U.S. citizens. States have chosen to handle the situation in a variety of ways. Many allow illegal immigrant students to attend college, but charge them out-of-state tuition rates, which sometimes can be double what residents pay.
Some states have chosen to get around the federal laws by basing tuition rates on where a student graduated from high school, rather than on residency. Of the six states with the largest immigrant populations, all but Florida and New Jersey have laws guaranteeing in-state tuition to undocumented students. A Record survey last year of the state's four-year public schools and of selected North Jersey community colleges, however, found that some colleges are allowing undocumented students to pay the lower in-state tuition, apparently violating federal law.
The lack of statewide guidelines on how higher education should deal with illegal immigrants has left colleges and universities to set their own standards. Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, said in a written statement that she planned to wait until the federal government reformed its immigration policy before acting on the in-state tuition bill.
Turner said that at that point she would support in-state tuition for undocumented students "because we will know that the investment New Jersey makes in these students will be returned in what they contribute to enrich our society in the future."
They shouldn't be admitted to any publicly funded schools at all.
We need a tax revolt now.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot????
(shaking my lowered head in complete disbelief)
and not being arrested for what reason?
Heck, even veterans don't even get in state tuition for states in which they are not residents. Why should illegals get it?
Former Clinton Health Chief Forced to Support Immigrant Rights
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=02a83faeaf59109f87e71db7f1d93f47
Teamsters Call for Responsible Immigration Legislation
Official Statement of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa
http://sev.prnewswire.com/transportation-trucking-railroad/20060331/DCF04231032006-1.html
Thank you, Orrin Hatch, you blithering fool, for the NIGHTMARE Act.
someone let me know where we're meeting for the violent revolution.
LOL !!! I like that, I'm stealing that !!!
When liberals spend money, it's always an "investment."
Are we all happy now?
I bet you all can't wait to punch your GOP tickets this year and in 08...
Once again...
Fence, mine and install machine guns on the border...warning shot first, and then excercise lethal force...
Only until the border is sealed and secured can ANY meaningful discussion start on what to do with 12 Million lawbreakers [plus the millions of lawbreaking employers] in our midsts...
Anything less is pure and utter bull crap...
SNAFU. Over. Bogeys within our perimeter. Well organized, funded, and equipped. Public communications comprimised by foreign agents codename 'McCain' and 'Clinton' operating within our own government, and by insurgents who have seized TV and Radio stations for propaganda purposes in hopes of effecting surrender. They are communicating in a code called 'Spanish' to conceal their true intent. Request reinforcements in battalion strength to rally-point codename 'Hacienda Arbusto' Crawford, TX area. To arrive 6 May, 2006. This is not a drill.
GOLF FOXTROT UNIFORM
My stepson is in the Marines...been in Fallujah and Ramadi...i know how you feel....but do as the Bushbots say...vote Republican no matter what... :(
What do we need to allow them in schools for so they can walk out, disrupt our childrens lives, and disrespect our flag that our troops are dying to protect, so they can wave mexican flags? I DON'T THINK SO!!
ENFORCE these laws already on the books and dont change them!
142. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of September 30, 1996 (110 Statutes-at-Large 3009)
Provisions:
Established measures to control U.S. borders, protect legal workers through worksite enforcement, and remove criminal and other deportable aliens:
PERIOD end of story!!!
Go ahead! I don't care.
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