Thread: AZ: Students feel repercussions of Prop. 300

Students feel repercussions of Prop. 300

Verifying citezenship proves difficult for some

by Emma Breysse
published on Thursday, August 23, 2007

More than 600 students lost their in-state status or financial aid for the school year due to the new Proposition 300 requirements.

As of the University's June 30 report to the state legislature, 607 students had lost in-state status because of Proposition 300, which was created to keep undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition and financial aid.

The University has been preparing to implement the policy for more than a semester, said Gini Sater, spokeswoman for University Student Initiatives.

"We believe we have established a manageable process," Sater said.

Of the 607, 112 were found to be here undocumented.

Students were required to show proof of their citizenship — such as a passport, driver's license or Social Security card — in the United States to keep their financial aid, Sater said.

The office would then verify those documents with the federal government, she said.

Sater said not all of the students losing their aid were here illegally; some simply could not prove they were citizens.

Chris Bates, a political science junior, said he was caught off guard by news of the requirement.

Bates said he received an e-mail notification of the requirement on the road to Tempe from his home in Colorado.

After being informed that the University Registrar's office could not copy his Social Security card for him, Bates needed to find a copy machine on his own, he said.
"I couldn't work the one in [the Memorial Union] because I don't have any money on my Sun Card," he said. "I was actually kind of freaked out for a while because I thought I might not find one."

Bates was not the only one looking, he said, but he directed as many searchers as he could to Hayden Library, where he eventually found an operational copier.

Amy Meyer, an economics sophomore, said the process was an eye-opener.

"I'm out of state so I hadn't thought much about [Proposition 300]," she said. "I guess I didn't think it would affect me."

Both Meyer and Bates acknowledged that while they may have been inconvenienced, they are lucky in comparison to students who could not prove their legal residence.

"I can't imagine what that's like," said Meyer.

Reach the reporter at: emma.breysse@asu.edu.

http://www.statepress.com/issues/2007/08/23/news/701420

"Sater said not all of the students losing their aid were here illegally; some simply could not prove they were citizens."

Another "dummy" employed by a university.

What has it been now, 30 to 40 years since every baby born had to have a social security number? Add to that birth certificates, elementary/high school records, etc. "simply could not prove they were citizens" is ridiculous.

Don't feel sorry at all.


AMERICA IS CRACKING DOWN AND WE ARE NOT TURNING BACK!

Originally Posted by NCByrd

"Sater said not all of the students losing their aid were here illegally; some simply could not prove they were citizens."
Another "dummy" employed by a university.

What has it been now, 30 to 40 years since every baby born had to have a social security number? Add to that birth certificates, elementary/high school records, etc. "simply could not prove they were citizens" is ridiculous.

....NCByrd
The day after my son was born a nurse brought all of the required paperwork to my hospital room, including an SS# form. This is a blatant lie that some simply couldn't prove their citizenship.

Sob story alert

I totally agree FedupDeb, I was able to get my son his SS# and American birth certificate straight from the US Embassy in London. They were strict about showing proof of citizenship and applying in person but that is a very good thing. So if I was able to get my son's documents in a foreign country, there is NO excuse living here.

Anyway, hold on... let me get the "world's smallest violin" out!