Thread: Aid for Illegals on Gov.’s Desk

http://ucsdguardian.org/viewarticle.php ... =09&day=19

Aid for Illegals on Gov.’s Desk


Schwarzenegger will have final say on bill greenlighting state aid for illegal immigrants.

By Charles Nguyen
Senior Staff Writer

Legislation that would make illegal immigrants eligible for financial aid at California public colleges is waiting a decision by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill — named the California D.R.E.A.M. Act — extends more rights to undocumented students, which legislators estimate numbered almost 600 across the UC system last year.

Currently, those students are allowed to obtain in-state residency status if they meet certain criteria, including attendance at a California high school for at least three years. However, undocumented students are not currently allowed to compete for state aid, which bill author Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) said limits opportunities for students who usually need financial relief the most.

“These students, among the best and the brightest young minds in our state, should not be punished for their parent’s pursuit of greater opportunities,” Cedillo stated in a press release.

During its Senate approval in late August, the legislation was attacked for being “unfair” and “flat-out wrong.” The passing vote in the Legislature was mainly split along party lines, with most Republicans in opposition. Assemblyman and Minority Leader George Plescia (R-San Diego) took issue with the fact that, if passed, the bill would give undocumented students rights not granted to out-of-state students, who must pay higher fees and are not eligible for state aid.

“This is a slap in the face to any student who is here legally,” said Morgan Crinklaw, Plescia’s spokesman. “California has students who are from Arizona, the Midwest and everywhere around the nation. Is it fair to let them get cut in line for financial aid?”

The bill’s passage would mean granting incentives to criminals at the expense of other California students, Crinklaw said. The cost of providing aid to illegal immigrants in the UC system would be $3.7 million, legislative analysts estimated.

The governor has not released any statements on the bill, but supporters are hoping he continues a trend of providing state help to undocumented youth. Schwarzenegger signed the current state law, which allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates, in 2002.

In 2005, a group of nonresident students sued the UC system, claiming that they were unjustly charged with higher tuition rates than illegal aliens.

In the lawsuit, which could cost the University of California hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, over 40 plaintiffs contend that the university system is violating a federal law passed in 1996 requiring colleges provide the same level of aid to nonresident and undocumented students.

For 2006-07, UC officials estimated that non-California students paid an extra $18,168 each in tuition and fees, but total costs for 2007-08 could increase.

In addition, the bill would allow undocumented students at state community colleges to apply for fee waivers.

“These students, among the best and the brightest young minds in our state, should not be punished for their parent’s pursuit of greater opportunities,” Cedillo stated in a press release.

I'm sorry, but just like their parents, these students are illegal immigrant law breakers. Once they turn eighteen they can choose to obey the law and self-deport back to their homeland of Mexico. Just because their parents are criminals, doesn't mean they have to be. Once they turn 18, they are no longer minors and are expected to make their own choices. Basically, the excuse of "my parents made me do it" ends when they are no longer minors!

My suggestion, go back home and apply through the proper channels to become a legal resident of the United States - then we'll talk about financial aid for college. American taxpayers already paid for your high school education, why must we pay for your college education too?

Just emailed the governor how I felt. Also added how I plan to move from this state when I can at the rate we're going. If we citizens move out in masses lets see how they manage then. Just might be the future here. Many of our young people are leaving due to the high cost of housing. And with so many cities becoming like Mexico people are leaving for other areas. California may become a state of rich and poor, a sign of the future of our country unless our federal government finally steps up to the plate and does something. Many people have boasted how this state is in the forefront of rest of the nation. Well, watch out!