Thread: 300 rally in favor of immigrant tuition bill

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_3153398

300 rally in favor of immigrant tuition bill
By Annie Sherman Sentinel & Enterprise Statehouse Bureau



BOSTON -- More than 300 supporters of an in-state tuition bill for illegal immigrants rallied at the Statehouse Tuesday, hoping legislators would hear their pleas for equality in education.

"If we do not allow our kids access to higher education, then we are certainly involved in creating an underclass in Massachusetts," said state Rep. Marie St. Fleur, D-Boston, vice-chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee. "This legislation is the right thing to do."

The proposed bill would allow undocumented immigrants in the Commonwealth to pay in-state tuition rates at city and state colleges, instead of higher non-resident rates. Individuals must have attended at least three years of high school here and graduated, and be in the process of seeking citizenship.

"These kids are stuck in the middle of their parents' decisions and the laws of this country," said Victoria Fahlberg of ONE Lowell, an immigrant advocacy organization. "Someone has to stand up for them."

Fahlberg said she works with eight 11th and 12th-grade students at Lowell High School who probably will not attend college because they can't afford it.

"Being undocumented means their parents don't make very much money, and they can't afford out-of-state tuition," she said. "These are really great kids and we're throwing away something that is precious for them."

The House Ways and Means Committee endorsed the legislation in May, but representatives have yet to debate the issue. Gov. Mitt Romney has threatened to veto the legislation, as he did with similar legislation last year.

The bill does not yet have enough legislative support to override a gubernatorial veto, St. Fleur said.

They are illegal aliens, so are their parents. WE HAVE GIVEN THEM A FREE RIDE ALL THE WAY UP TO HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW THEY WANT FREE COLLEGE TOO THAT MANY AMERICAN STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR? NO!!! GO BACK TO MEXICO, AND GO TO COLLEGE THERE!

Ah, Massachusetts home of sin your Edwardo Kennedy