Politics and education came to a head this week when The College Board released a report that cites a need for federal legislation that would open up in-state college tuition, financial aid and legal status to many illegal immigrants in the U.S.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/6383965.html
I am not against anyone going to school. I do not care what country a person comes from. If they choose to come to the United States and attend college, I am in favor of it. The only thing I would ask is that they come into the country legally or be in the process of becoming legal. That’s all.
There are people from all over the world in this country attending college. I do not claim to be the smartest person in the world. Perhaps I do not know all of the intricacies of immigration. Nonetheless, I do not think it is asking too much for students to be in this country legally. I also do not believe it is the job of the state or federal government to reward illegal immigration (illegal being the operative word here) with the opportunity.
An excerpt from this article made me ask some questions -
Since 2001, when the Dream Act was introduced in Congress, 10 states have passed laws allowing undocumented students who graduate from in-state high schools to qualify for in-state tuition rates. Advocates of the federal Dream Act, expecting a more friendly reception from President Obama and a strengthened Democratic congressional majority, are launching a new effort to pass the bill this year.
I am not sure why we are even talking about illegal immigrants going to school. Why are we not discussing (1) How to get a better control on immigration, and (2) How to help people become legal, productive members of our country.
We are an open society and welcome people from anywhere. Diversity is a good thing. I don’t think that insisting that people become “legal” by way of citizenship, visa, etc … in order to take advantage of our resources is not asking too much.