Thread: WA:State shouldn't grant student aid to illegal immigrants

Daily Editorial Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 1:26 PM PST

State shouldn't grant student aid to illegal immigrants
If an illegal immigrant is granted aid that means someone here legally will not have the opportunity to go to college.
By the Union-Bulletin Editorial Board

Should illegal immigrants be eligible for state financial aid for college?

The short answer is no.

But arriving at that answer isn't necessarily easy. Illegal immigration is a complex issue. When you add to the discussion children who, through no fault of their own, were brought to this country illegally, it becomes even trickier.

And when you consider offering opportunities to succeed to people who have worked very hard for that chance, the question is downright gut wrenching.

Last week the state Legislature debated a proposal by Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon, that would make illegal immigrants eligible for the state's main financial aid program. The proposal would expand the state needs grant program, which provided around $182 million in financial aid for 72,000 students in the current fiscal year.

Quall said many of these students are brought to the United States by their parents at a young age, are groomed in the American education system and it wouldn't be right to deny them a chance at a college education.

"I think it's a good investment to keep these talented kids, so they have a hopeful future," Quall said.
There is some merit to what Quall says. And that's why illegal immigrants are welcomed in our public schools through high school.

It simply makes sense to give these children an opportunity to have successful lives by getting an education.

After all, in America public school is free to all regardless of whether you are a citizen.

Higher education, however, is not open to all for a variety of reasons including economic ones. That's a key reason we don't believe it is good public policy to extend taxpayer-funded financial aid to illegal immigrants.

Given the ever-increasing cost of college, it is becoming increasingly difficult to even get accepted at state universities and colleges.

The money available for financial aid is limited. The pool in Washington state is enough for only 72,000 students.

If an illegal immigrant is granted aid that means someone who was either born in this country or who came here legally will not have the opportunity to go to college. That's simply not right.

Those who are about to enter college are usually adults -- 18 years old -- or within a few months of being adults. It is time they face up to their immigration status and take action to become legal.

We have no illusions it's easy. The nation's immigration system and its immigration policies are a mess and should be reformed.

Nevertheless, there is a system in place and it should be followed. To put illegal immigrants ahead of those who followed the rules is simply not right.

In the end, we believe state money should go to those who are legal residents of this country.

http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/ ... grants.txt

To put illegal immigrants ahead of those who followed the rules is simply not right.

OMG....someone actually gets it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If an illegal immigrant is granted aid that means someone who was either born in this country or who came here legally will not have the opportunity to go to college. That's simply not right.

Dang tootin'! My goddaughter was hoping to get into the University of Miami for their marine biology program, but apparently she was not ethnic enough (blonde hair and blue eyes). Meanwhile, her mother met a man who barely spoke English whose child was there on all kinds of scholarships. Fair? No way. My goddaughter did get accepted to FSU, mostly paid for by scholarships.