Thread: Debate rages over lower tuition for state's illegal immigran

http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/loca ... leid=57773

By Sedona Fitzgerald and Emily Zeugner / Daily News Correspondents
Friday, June 3, 2005

Andres' wide-set brown eyes light up as he talks about what he wants to do after he graduates from East Boston High School next month.
"I have a big plan," the honor student said. "I would like to become a chemical engineer. I really care about the environment."
But in the midst of outlining his design for a more efficient plastic recycling system, Andres comes to an abrupt stop and looks down at his sneakers.
"I would like to apply to college, but it's not even worth it. Once I get accepted to a school and go to the financial aid office, they ask me to pay out-of-state tuition and I just can't afford it," he said.
Andres asked that his last name not be used. The reason? He came to Massachusetts with his mother from Bogota, Colombia, four years ago and has remained here as an illegal immigrant.
For Andres, and an estimated 400 other undocumented Massachusetts students, hopes for higher education rest with a controversial bill now before the Legislature that would allow them to pay in-state tuition rates at the state's public colleges and universities.
Unless the bill passes, higher costs -- as much as $8,800 a year -- could keep hundreds of undocumented immigrant children from continuing their education.
"The reality is these kids can't pay $35,000 with no financial aid, no scholarships," said Michele Rudy, the legislative organizer for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Association.
The legislation promises to be among the most debated bills of this session. Opponents, including Gov. Mitt Romney, argue it is illegal to offer undocumented immigrants the same deal as the state's residents. Others say that granting lower tuition will cost the state money, take classroom spots from residents and boost job opportunities of illegal immigrants over legal residents.
"Unfortunately, some immigrants do not play by the rules," Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said in testimony against the bill earlier this month. "We should neither condone nor encourage breaking the law."
The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Marie St. Fleur, D-Dorchester, and Sen. Jarrett Barrios, D-Cambridge, along with 54 other legislators, would allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates and fees if they have attended a Massachusetts public or parochial high school for three years.
The students must graduate from high school and provide an affidavit saying they have filed an application for citizenship or intend to do so at the earliest opportunity.
Eight other states, including Utah, Texas and California, have similar laws.
The proposed bill passed last year as part of the House and Senate budgets. It was vetoed by Romney, who cited concerns over violating federal immigration laws.
The bill was offered as part of this year's House budget, but was removed and submitted as separate legislation. The House Ways and Means Committee approved it earlier this month after a heated, five-hour public hearing.
For many supporters, the issue is simple: Give good students an inexpensive route to higher education. In-state tuition and fees at Massachusetts public colleges are significantly lower than out-of-state costs. At UMass-Amherst, out-of-state tuition is $17,861 for the 2004-05 academic year compared with $9,008 for in-state residents.
The differences are almost as extreme at state and community colleges. At Worcester State College, state residents paid $4,600 for the 2004-05 school year, while out-of-state residents were billed $11,000.
Some argue that cutting tuition will cost the state money. Healey said the bill could cost taxpayers as much as $3.7 million a year.
"Quite simply, illegal immigrants should not be going to college on the backs of the Massachusetts taxpayers," said state Rep. Jeff Perry, R-Sandwich, who has led the movement against the legislation.
Barrios, the Senate bill's sponsor, disagrees. He estimates the addition of immigrant students would actually add $1 million to the state's colleges and universities. His position is supported by Cathleen Schatzburg, president of Cape Cod Community College.
"There isn't any direct fiscal or population burden," she said. "These students will also contribute to the revenue stream with the charges they must pay for fees."
But money is not the only issue. The legality of offering an advantage to illegal immigrants has roiled the debate over the years. Opponents claim Massachusetts is prohibited by federal law from giving benefits to undocumented immigrants.
"Breaking the law should not entitle you to public benefits. America is a nation of immigrants, but America is also a nation of laws," Healey said during testimony at a May 5 public hearing.
Federal law is seen as ambiguous on the issue. Illegal immigrants can attend kindergarten through 12th grade, but there is no legislation that governs whether illegal immigrants can attend college. Instead, acceptance at colleges and universities is left up to the discretion of the schools.
The issue is further clouded by a 1996 federal law that bars undocumented immigrants from receiving any post-secondary education benefits that are not extended to all U.S. citizens.
New federal legislation is in the works to clear up the contradictions. But many legislators feel uneasy about the differing federal and state laws.
"I cannot support a law in the hopes that another law will change," said state Rep. William Greene, D-Billerica.
Iris Gomez, an immigration lawyer with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, said the 1996 federal statute does not prohibit states from providing in-state tuition to undocumented students.
She said the language in the bill before the Legislature provides alternative criteria by requiring the student attend a state public high school for at least three years.
"I can assure you that a careful reading of the statute and what Massachusetts' bill's language would do would survive judicial scrutiny," Gomez said.
Opponents of the bill are also concerned that by giving undocumented immigrants easier access to college, the state's legal work force will be forced to compete with additional graduates for jobs.
From 2001 to the present, Massachusetts has suffered some of the nation's worst job losses. In March 2003, the unemployment rate caught up with the national average for the first time since 1995.
Lorrie Hall, a Duxbury resident and the founder of the Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform, worries that her son-in-law, who was laid off from his high-tech job, will not be able to find work if he has to compete with college-educated immigrants.
"Illegals are taking our jobs," Hall said.
Russell Gale, a technology professional from Weymouth, is also concerned about giving illegal immigrants a more competitive advantage.
"I see the issue from the standpoint of labor protection. We are going to work to sustain Gov. Romney's veto," Gale said.
But some business leaders disagree. They say the bill would improve their chances of finding more skilled employees.
Robert Beal, president of Beal Investments and the former chairman of Mass Development, the state's affordable housing finance and development agency, said a strong labor force is very important to the state and its employers.
"High achievers like the students pursuing these in-state tuition rates are graduating with degrees that will earn them approximately $2 million to $4 million more over their lifetime," Beal said.
Although a lifelong Republican, Beal said the governor is wrong to fight the economic benefits the bill would provide.
"I take issue with the Republican State Party who has basically turned these young people into criminals," he said.
Beyond the issue of economics is the question of fairness raised by Barrios and other supporters of the bill. Many believe that if undocumented immigrants grow up and attend school in the state like their legal counterparts, they have a right to reap the benefits of discounted tuition.
"We want to treat these kids like every other Massachusetts kid," Barrios said. "They have an obligation to work hard and we have an obligation to help them."
Mary Fifield, president of Bunker Hill Community College, presides over a student body made up of people from more than 90 different countries. She said without the bill, immigrant students would be kept from making more of their lives.
"There is so much talk about job shortages. What would it be like if we had 400 more doctors, nurses, or teachers?" Fifield said.
University of Massachusetts officials also support the bill.
"We are confronted daily with students who struggle to find financial resources," said Kate Harrington, the associate vice president for academic affairs in the president's office.
For Andres, the ongoing debate has put his life on hold.
"Everyone asks me, 'Where are you going?' and I have to say I have to wait until something happens with the legislation," Andres said.

FRIG EM! Until every single AMERICAN KID IS EDUCATED nothing.....ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SHOULD GET IN THE WAY!

GO HOME!