The children of illegal immigrants deserve the same access to education as residents. It benefits both the students and society.

By The Denver Post
Posted: 03/04/2009 12:30:00 AM MST


Children should not be sucked into the ugly and fruitless debate that nearly always swallows up the issue of illegal immigration.

In fact, penalizing children for the misdeeds of their parents — yes, the illegal acts of their parents — is not only shortsighted for the community but entirely counterproductive. In light of these factors, we support state Sen. Chris Romer's efforts to bring in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. It would allow these students an opportunity to break a cycle of what's often educational neglect that threatens to be a generational crisis.

The bill would allow any person, regardless of immigration status, who has attended a Colorado high school for at least three years to enroll in a Colorado college or university and be charged in-state tuition. They also would be eligible for tuition assistance under the same criteria as a person who "establishes domicile" in Colorado.

Those who reside here, have finished high school and have invested themselves sufficiently in our community, despite their parents' wrongdoing, deserve the chance at an education. The parents, despite widespread conceptions, pay taxes on some level.

Similar legislation has been approved in states like Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Officials have estimated that fewer than 200 undocumented students per year have used the in-state tuition rate. With similar numbers expected in Colorado, this is hardly a catastrophic burden for colleges and universities. In fact, it may save Colorado money in the long run as more people are educated and less likely to end up on social services.

We applaud the bipartisan support of Dick Monfort, co-owner of the Colorado Rockies baseball team and chairman of the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees, and Alex Cranberg, Republican donor and chairman of Aspect Energy.

We also understand the hesitancy of some on this issue. Sen. Dave Schultheis, a Colorado Springs Republican and an ardent voice on immigration issues, claimed this week, "If you were to ask the citizens of Colorado what they feel, they would be adamantly opposed to it, probably 85 percent. We're supposed to be representing the people of Colorado. What are we doing running bills they don't want?"

Whether this contention is true, and we doubt it is, there is a reason we elect public officials. They have to make tough choices.

We understand that illegal immigration is indeed illegal. But we don't believe that children should suffer the consequences.

With all that said, in the end, the federal government must deal with comprehensive immigration reform soon. Because, while these illegal immigrants may graduate from college with honors, law-abiding citizens would not be able to hire them. And that's a shame.

Comments (3)


Let's see here, a politician opens his mouth and the Denver Post fully supports whatever the politician says. Since the editorial was written, even the politician has decided that he better put in some requirements. Let us see more.
The child of the ILLEGAL immigrant should:
Seek citizenship before registering for college.
Provide fluency in the English language.
Provide means of attending college.Brix57
Ken
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Report this post Points: 0 Article Discussion: In-state tuition for immigrants
by jmilesunltd on Today, 4:38 am

The simple truth is that if you are here illegally, you should corrrect that before getting benefits other American Citizens don't-in this case in state tuition.jmilesunltd
Jason Miles
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Report this post Points: 0 Article Discussion: In-state tuition for immigrants
by Brix57 on Today, 4:44 am

Dick Monfort? Co-owner of the Rockies baseball team. Which elected office does he hold?Brix57
Ken
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http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11828617