Thread: Cuesta College educates IA students about their rights

Cuesta College educates students who aren't legal citizens about their rights to higher education
Posted: April 25, 2008 09:47 PM EDT

Friday, April 25, 2008
Reported by: Stacy Daniel
SAN LUIS OBISPO

Cuesta College educates students who aren't legal citizens about their rights to higher education.

Here are the Facts First:

- California law allows immigrant students to pay in-state tuition fees.
- It's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants live in the U.S.
- The national cost to educate undocumented immigrants is thought to be $12 billion a year.

That is why some oppose a plan to make education more accessible.

Before 2001, people who were not legal American citizens were asked to pay significantly higher tuition fees.

It is the changing face of education in America.

California is one of about 10 states that allow undocumented students to pay the same tuition fees as people who have lived in California all of their lives.

Opponents of the move say it punishes American citizens and rewards illegal immigrants.

"In-state tuition costs are skyrocketing, so that means every time you admit an illegal alien to college, an American student or legal resident gets turned away, and it's fundamentally unfair," said Bob Dane, Communications Director for American Immigration Reform.

Supporters of the bill feel not having a law that protects undocumented students leaves them with no hope for the future.

"Instead of being an architect, or an engineer they're going to be a maid or a cook, or they're going to be your gardener," said Cuesta College administrator Janet Flores.

"It's highly important. Without an education you can't get anywhere," said undocumented student Javier Soto.

Javier Soto came to America when he was 7 years old. He says education should be provided to everyone who seeks it.

But not everyone feels that way.

"It's another benefit that provides yet another incentive for more and more illegal aliens to enter the country," said Dane.

"Let's face it, people, whether they're given that opportunity of not, they're still going to come here," said Soto.

And that, some people say, is the problem.

"We've got 12 million illegal aliens here already, and you can rest assured we've got another 12 million on the way. Getting control of the situation involves border enforcement and denying benefits, driver's license, credit cards, jobs and yes, subsidized college tuition," said Dane.

Administrators at Cuesta College say they wanted to hold a free community symposium to help not only immigrant students, but to inform others about the issues facing people who were not born in this country.

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=8230176

Well according to the immigration Nationality Act of 1996, if any of the colleges of those ten states gives in state tuition to an illegal alien they have to give the same to all American citizens from other states....this would stop in one big hurry if citizens new their rights.....some who did, have sued and gotten their out of state tuition refunded.

So spread the word!!

They have rights?

Javier Soto came to America when he was 7 years old. He says education should be provided to everyone who seeks it.

College education is provided to those who PAY for it! Can't afford it? Too bad, there are lots of Americans who can't afford it either and they go FIRST!

"We've got 12 million illegal aliens here already, and you can rest assured we've got another 12 million on the way. Getting control of the situation involves border enforcement and denying benefits, driver's license, credit cards, jobs and yes, subsidized college tuition," said Dane

Don't hold your breath about that. We're deporting as many as we can and will continue to DEMAND that our laws be enforced.