Tuition cut for illegal immigrants

The Spokesman-Review | 5-8-03 | Richard Roesler

[lilylangtree]

OLYMPIA--With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Gary Locke on Wednesday made it much cheaper for illegal immigrants to go to college in Washington state.

Until now, such students have had to pay non-resident tuition to attend state colleges and community colleges. When the new law takes effect in July, illegal immigrants can pay the much-cheaper resident tuition rate, provided that they graduated from a Washington high school and have lived in the state for at least three years.

The change will cut the price of college dramatically for such students. At Washington State University, tuition and fees for residents total $4,520 a year. For non-residents, it's $12,270.

At Eastern Washington University, it's $3,462 a year, versus $11,739 for nonresidents.

The difference is primarily due to the fact that state taxpayers subsidize much of the actual cost of college for residents.

"We're making history in this state," said Francisco Tamayo, a counselor at WSU's Chicano/Latino Student center. "A lot of students who are very sharp, all of a sudden they hit a dead end."

Illegal immigrants are not eligible for federal financial aid, making the cost of college even more of a problem.

"I think it's a long time in coming," said Carlos Maldonado, Eastern's director of Chicano studies. "Rather than closing the educational door on them, now we're able to say 'OK, you can come to school.' And that individual is going to be in a position to contribute further to our state."

The change also applies to community colleges, which average yearly tuition of $1,982 for residents and $7,191 for nonresidents.

More than a dozen lawmakers in the House of Representatives opposed the change, inclluding local Reps. Brad Benson, R-Spokane; Larry Crouse, R-Spokane, and Lynn Schindler, R-Spokane Valley. The Republican-controlled state Senate also fought the change, attaching a clause to exclude such students. Locke vetoed that section.

Rep. Jim Clements, R-Selah, said the bill works against citizens and those who have come to America legally. He predicted that they will sue, if they are squeezed out of high-demand college programs like nursing to make room for illegal immigrant students.

"I understand the intent. There's love behind it," he told lawmakers. "But I think the consequences will lead us to court and litigation."

Clements also pointed out that an illegal immigrant cannot legally get a job in the United States, although there are occasional amnesty periods when people who are here illegally can apply for legal status.

Rep. Brad Benson, who married a citizen of Mexico and has watched other family members struggling to legally live in America, said the bill does little to encourage people who followed the rules.

"It's another thing that makes it easy to be illegal, and nothing makes it easy to be legal," Benson said.

Others said that it benefits no one to cut the students off from college. Many of the students have lived in America nearly all their lives, they said, and have gone to school alongside the children of citizens and legal immigrants.

"It's the right thing to do," said Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax. "Nobody gains by leaving entire groups of future workers uneducated."

"I understand the rationale behind it (the objectives)," said Tamayo. "But the reality is that these are home-grown Washingtonians."

"They're already contributing to the tax structure of the state, through the sales tax and other taxes," said Maldonado.

One of those present at Wednesday's bill-signing was Jorge Madrazo, consul for Mexico in Seattle.

"Today is a very special day for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living in the Evergreen State," he said. "Our young children will study very hard."

[lilylangtree]

Howling loud in protest, I cannot fathom our RAT governor pulling a stunt like this. Just because he's Chinese and legal doesn't mean that Washingtonians want to support ILLEGALS. I don't have a problem with any person legally immigrating to this country. But I have a BIG problem with the ILLEGALS. What they spend in this country doesn't make up for the cost that they cause. Just two weeks ago, this RAT governor and the State Senate Minority Leader, Lisa Brown (another RAT), were crying because the budget didn't subsidize the ILLEGAL pregnant mothers. More HOWLING IN OUTRAGE. I'M ANGRY WITH FRUSTRATION!

[PetroniDE]

Texas doing the same thing.... What part of Illegal do these politicians NOT understand?

[Levine2001]

I can't find a link for this article. Nor can I find it on the Spokan-Spokesman web site. What's your source for this again?

[republicofdavis]

so much wrong in this article. How can they get in three years of high school when they are illegal? Why is that allowed to happen? And how come they're not satisfactorily educated after high school? And why can't they just pay the nonresident fee like anyone else who comes to attend from another state or a foreign country?

The fact that Washington (and my state, California) allows this to occur, especially in a time of budget crisis, sickens me.

[grania]

OUTRAGE ALERT !!!

[JimRed]

What is about the word ILLEGAL that they don't comprehend?

[lilylangtree]

Since I'm getting ready to post another outrageous article, I'm looking at this "Tuition cut for illegal immigrants" article by The Spokesman-Review staff writer Richard Roesler on page B3 of Thursday, May 8, 2003.

[Saundra Duffy]

California - done deal here. Welcome to the club.

[j_tull]

,"It's the right thing to do," said Rep. Don Cox R-Colfax. "Nobody gains by leaving entire groups of future workers uneducated."

Target Acquired for Primary defeat.

[janetgreen]

Californians are outraged for the same reasons. Today's news in California tells us that the state Senate is on its way to create a Hillary-type healthcare plan that will cover many "millions of uninsured" people in California. What it doesn't mention is that several million of those uninsured will be illegal aliens. Taxpayers get screwed in favor of Mexico, again. The article also doesn't mention that California is bankrupt already.

[PatrioticAmerican]

giving money to people not American I thought was illegal. Aiding illegals I thought was illegal.

[Levine2001]

Story found at:

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=050803&ID=s1347334

Though the site required me to register in order to access it.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

What a bunch of bull****!!

What type of tuition cut no-questions-asked gov't funding is available for legal residents who may not have available to them any method of funding *their* post-secondary education?

[Kuksool]

The madness is spreading to the Midwest as well. The IL General Assembly passed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants by an overwhelming margin. The RAT Governor of IL is expected to sign the bill into law.

[Nea Wood]

More HOWLING IN OUTRAGE. I'M ANGRY WITH FRUSTRATION!

Same here. The outrages just keep piling up. I think it's time for the American people to take to the streets. Enough is enough.

[nothingnew]

Let's see...I'm from Colorado...can I get the same rate as residents of washungton to attend classes, or do I have to renounce my US citizenship first?.....WTF!

FMCDH

[madfly]

Future Shock ping!

[Bob J]

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[lonestar]

Gov. Gary Locke on Wednesday made it much cheaper for illegal immigrants to go to college in Washington state.

I'm advertising this all over Texas!

[Willie Green]

Can't these college administrators be arrested for aiding and abetting criminals?

[Regulator]

an I get the same rate as residents of washungton to attend classes, or do I have to renounce my US citizenship first?

Supposedly all of these laws violate the 1996 Immigration act, which deletes any federal funding for such states that have this law unless they extend the same benefit to any U.S. citizen. Even without that, there is a 14th amendment argument against unequal treatment for citizens that would most likely hold here.

We'll see if any of the 'conservative' legal foundations have the guts to go after this, or if the Big R's warn them off.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Get out of California fast.....Uh, oh wait a minute.....

[Joe Hadenuf]

OLYMPIA--With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Gary Locke on Wednesday made it much cheaper for illegal immigrants to go to college in Washington state.

Texas doing the same thing.... What part of Illegal do these politicians NOT understand?

What you don't understand my friend, is that your government no longer represents you, and don't give a good gawd damn what you think.

[kstewskis]

If the subject of money and tuition costs don't wake up the liberal, mush minded students who are nose-ring led by their socialist/communist professors....nothing will.

Perhaps (and I'm only wishing here) they'll take this to the polls and wake up. Socialism doesn't work. It is evil.

[txdoda]

"It's the right thing to do," said Rep. Don Cox R-Colfax. "Nobody gains by leaving entire groups of future workers uneducated." >>>>>>>>>>>>>


EXCUSE ME !!!......I thought it was ILLEGAL for ILLEGALS to
work in the USA.....so why are we being FORCED to educate
"future" ILLEGAL workers ??

[Lady Eileen]

OUTRAGE ALERT !!!

Outrage does not begin to express my anger... I moved from California ten years ago to get away from this madness...where I live now they are considering passing the same kind of law : (

[txdoda]

Texas doing the same thing.... >>>>>

E-mail your reps.....remind then that it ILLEGAL for illegals to work in the USA.....then ask
WHY tax-payers are being forced to educate these "future (illegal) workers" ??

[Lady Eileen]

This is just another case of Democrats using Middle American taxpayer dollars to buy illegal votes.

[StarFan]

Rep. Jim Clements, R-Selah, said the bill works against citizens and those who have come to America legally. He predicted that they will sue, if they are squeezed out of high-demand college programs like nursing to make room for illegal immigrant students.

SUE THE BASTARDS! Let the courts explain to them precisely what the term ILLEGAL means. This is outrageous!

[dagnabbit]

I'm sure the Bush administration will take care of this problem at the federal level.
/sarcasm

[holyscroller]

This makes my blood boil, and my own local state rep, a RINO Republican voted FOR it! Actually I hope a lot of other stupid states for it too now though, so the illegals won't all flock to Washington. we've got way too many here as it it (and one is one too many!!!)

[BillyBoy]

>> Texas doing the same thing.... What part of Illegal do these politicians NOT understand? <<

Just passed in Illinois and awaiting the governor's signature (yes, he promises to sign it). Amazingly, they had the gall to do this after CUTTING grants to academically gifted yet low income TAXPAYING citizen college students. Claimed the recession "forced" them to make those "painful" cuts.

Evidentially, the Illinois legislature is more concerned about ensuring illegal criminals can attend college than bright, hard-working, tax-paying citizens. A whooping four members of the 'RAT-controlled Illinois House were the ONLY ones to vote against this joke. Obviously the illegal alien lobby has bought off most of the "Republican" opposition too.

[BillyBoy]

"It's the right thing to do," said Rep. Don Cox, RINO-Colfax. "Nobody gains by leaving entire groups of future workers uneducated, but I intend to do exactly that by using your taxdollars to send ILLEGAL CRIMINALS to college instead of YOUR kids".

[Teacher317]

In other words, a law-breaker from Guatemala is far more desirable to have as a student at State U. than any American from any other state. They want them so badly that the schools will slash the price for them, and continue to soak the kids from neighboring states. Simply incredible.

[Happy2BMe]

"The madness is spreading to the Midwest as well. The IL General Assembly passed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants by an overwhelming margin. The RAT Governor of IL is expected to sign the bill into law."

Hey - We Hain Nho Dhummies! We Know Who Gonna Vote - An Who Ain Non Gunna Vote! U.S. Governors Up For Reelection

[dennisw]

Disgraceful in a time of tight state budgets

[A CA Guy]

That is the reverse of what is needed.

[Beck_isright]

Your state deserves to lose Boeing. It's obviously run by total morons.

[FITZ]

Rep. Brad Benson, who married a citizen of Mexico and has watched other family members struggling to legally live in America, said the bill does little to encourage people who followed the rules.

Punish the law-followers, reward the law-breakers. How does a legal foreign student feel about paying the top-rate just because they respected the law?

[lilylangtree]

Boeing has moved the executive offices to Chicago. It's already let a number of employees go. And yes, RAT Gov. Gary Locke was blamed for it, but he's like Slick Willie nothing sticks. Maybe because he's the first Chinese-American to be governor. The year after he was elected Governor he and his wife, Mona (also Chinese-American), made a big trip to China at taxpayers expense to find his roots. I also noticed that he appointed quite a number of Chinese-Americans to offices. His cerebral cortex needs to meet with a big 2x4 club, along with other RATS and Repubs that supported this awful piece of legislation.

[Beck_isright]

I feel sorry for your state. It's a beautiful place. Too bad it's being ruined in every way bye the rats.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

"We're making history in this state," said Francisco Tamayo, a counselor at WSU's Chicano/Latino Student center.

Actions like this may eventually make the United States "history".

[Jennikins]

The way I read it Janet, is that those of us who are presently (and expensively) insured, will have our premiums raised to help cover the "uninsured". If you are one of the millions of poor here in California, not to worry, you will be completely subsidized.

This state has gone completely socialistic catering to these people.

And Janet, here in LA county, there will be a huge awakening this fall when the new tax bills come out. Everyone will discover that bond measures that they voted FOR (I didn't) is not FREE money. These bonds were in the $BILLIONS$!

Those arrogant and overpaid Dems in Sacramento sit there all day, thinking of ways to SCREW us with more taxes.

[FreedomCalls]

There are universities and colleges in Mexico you know. Once you graduate high school, you are an adult and can return back to Mexico for college. But that would mean one less Democrat voter and we can't have that.

[lilylangtree]

That thought occurred to me too. I wrote an opinion letter to the editor of the newspaper. Won't do any good since the legislation was already signed by that bloody RAT governor Gary Locke. Writing the letter did let me blow off steam that I was carrying around since the news of this piece of legislation was published.

[philetus]

This seems to say, if they give it to illegals, they have to give it to everyone.
Want to send your kids to school in another state, but it costs too much?
If that state is giving illegals "in-state tuition rate", they have to give it to you too.

As yet, no federal law has overruled Plyler.
The closest provision is IIRIRA § 505, which prohibits states from providing a post-secondary education benefit to an alien not lawfully present in the United States on the basis of the alien's residence in their state unless the state would also provide the same benefit to a citizen or national residing in another state.

Translated into plain English, this provision appears to bar public colleges from charging undocumented aliens an in-state tuition rate, since they would be treated more favorably than out-of-state residents who are U.S. citizens.
We discuss section 505 in more detail below. http://www.twmlaw.com/resources/general42cont.htm

[janetgreen]

Everyone will discover that bond measures that they voted FOR (I didn't) is not FREE money. These bonds were in the $BILLIONS$!

I'm another "NO" voter on bonds for entitlements. The sad truth is that many young voters don't seem to understand that the money for all these entitlements comes from us. The daughter of a neighbor, 22 years old, was asked where she thought the money came from. Her answer? "the government, of course". She had no clue where the "government money" came from.

She is a product of California schools. She also believes that "we" should do everything to help the poor illegal aliens "who are escaping a brutal government". I had to walk away before I exploded.

[Jennikins]

You had to walk away before you exploded... Believe me, I understand, I really do understand. I hear it every day.

[eeman]

I just heard about this today and I am fed up and angry as well. Is there any link to which republicans voted for this? I went to the WA state republican page and tried following several links but came up empty.

[Mini-14]

"Your state deserves to lose Boeing. It's obviously run by total morons."

Boeing moved to Illinois. Illinois also passed a bill to grant preferential treatment to illegal aliens.