Thread: TX: Migrant tuition bill derailed

Posted on Thu, May. 10, 2007
Migrant tuition bill derailed

By R.A. DYER
Star-Telegram staff writer
AUSTIN -- Legislation that would have barred undocumented immigrants from paying in-state tuition at public universities was derailed Wednesday after Texas House lawmakers raised technical objections.
The legislation, House Bill 159 by Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington, would have reversed a 2003 law.

Zedler had argued that the 2003 law provides incentives for illegal behavior and has cost the state millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Opponents have said the legislation punishes many students who have lived in Texas for years.

Many are in the process of normalizing their immigration status and want to become a more productive part of the economy, opponents say.

Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, raised the objection that the bill's official description did not match its language.

House Speaker Tom Craddick upheld that technical objection, which effectively stopped House debate.

Zedler said the bill is likely dead because time is running short in the legislative session. The session ends May 28. "I think it would have been nice if we had a vote -- we had a whole slew of phone calls from people who supported me," he said.

Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, also raised a separate technical objection.

He argued on the House floor that the legislation not only could hurt the economy in the long term, but break "the dreams and hopes of a good deal of our students."

Zedler said the issue driving his legislation is quite simple.

"It's about whether we uphold the immigration laws of this country," he said. "I don't care if those individuals are from China, from South America or the Philippines. ... We cannot simply allow our borders to be open and allow everyone to come in and in essence take advantage of the benefits that we have here. Higher education is not a right. It is a privilege."

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a Republican, indicated Wednesday that had the bill survived the House, its chances would have been slim in the Senate.

"We'd take a look at it, but historically the Senate has been in favor of providing in-state tuition for everyone living here," he said.

http://www.star-telegram.com/227/story/97051.html

Zedler had argued that the 2003 law provides incentives for illegal behavior and has cost the state millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Opponents have said the legislation punishes many students who have lived in Texas for years.

Many are in the process of normalizing their immigration status and want to become a more productive part of the economy, opponents say

.

Key words: STUDENTS NOT CITIZENS. They've lived in Texas for years but now all of a sudden want to become a productive part of the economy?

At what point does this mad cow governmental disease end?

Many are in the process of normalizing their immigration status and want to become a more productive part of the economy, opponents say.

Another false arguement. The only way to "normalize" your status, is to return to your home country and apply for legal entry.

"It's about whether we uphold the immigration laws of this country," he said. "I don't care if those individuals are from China, from South America or the Philippines. ... We cannot simply allow our borders to be open and allow everyone to come in and in essence take advantage of the benefits that we have here. Higher education is not a right. It is a privilege."

Immigration laws......that's what it's all about.

"raised technical objections."

What about "legal objections" like they're here ILLEGALLY.