Thread: Panel Ok's College Aid for Illegal residents

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/12 ... 7967c.html

Panel OKs college aid for illegal residents
Act would let California's undocumented students apply for financial help.
By E.J. Schultz / Bee Capitol Bureau
(Updated Wednesday, June 21, 2006, 4:39 AM)

SACRAMENTO — Undocumented immigrants could get state aid for college in California under a bill that cleared an Assembly committee Tuesday.

The California Dream Act, as it's known, would enable undocumented immigrants to seek money from some programs. The bill passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee on a 5-2 vote, delighting a group of Latino students who came to the Capitol to lobby on its behalf.

"It's a total victory today, and it means a lot for students," said Vianey Nuñez, a recent Fresno State graduate and student government officer.

The two Republicans on the committee voted against the bill.

Committee vice chairman Tim Leslie, R-Tahoe City, criticized the bill for rewarding illegal immigration.

"Enabling illegal immigrants to attain state financial aid sends the wrong message to the millions of legal immigrants who have played by the rules, waiting for the chance to live and work in our country, only to see those who have intentionally disobeyed our laws go to the front of the line," he said in a statement.

Sponsor Gil Cedillo, a Democratic senator from Los Angeles, said the bill evens the playing field for immigrant children who had no say in their parents' decision to come here.

"Children should not be held accountable for the acts of their parents," he said.

The bill cleared the Senate earlier this year. It next moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Cedillo said he hopes to get the measure to Gov. Schwarzenegger's desk this summer. The governor hasn't taken a position.

Senate Bill 160 builds upon a law that lets some undocumented immigrants and out-of-state residents pay in-state tuition. To be eligible, students must have graduated from and spent at least three years in California high schools. Cedillo's bill would allow these same students to apply for most state-run financial aid programs.

Not included, however, is the Cal Grant program, a major source of aid.Cedillo said the program was left out for administrative reasons. He hopes to get it included down the road.

As it's written, the legislation could still make a big difference. It costs $1,518 to attend a semester at California State University, Fresno. With a maximum amount of state aid, the fee can be reduced to $258 a semester, said Maria Hernandez, the university's director of financial aid.

The bill applies to state community colleges and the California State University system. University of California schools would be asked to take part. The Legislature does not have jurisdiction over the UC system.

The bill does not affect federal student aid, which is generally not available to undocumented immigrants.

Fresno State does not track the number of undocumented immigrants enrolled. But Nuñez, who graduated in May, suspects there are many. Most, she said, are longtime U.S. residents who pay taxes and deserve the aid.

"It's not like they crossed the border just yesterday," she said.

Nuñez has been lobbying for the bill for a while. The immigrants who attend Fresno State need the aid because many are poor, she said.

Nuñez, a U.S. citizen, said she tried to get several undocumented students to join her in Sacramento for the lobbying effort, but none could afford to take off work for the two-day trip.

The reporter can be reached at eschultz@fresnobee.com or (916) 326-5541. Advertisements

Well Arnold...it is time for you to do your job and TERMINATE this insanity!!!!!!!!

That's great, let's educate all the illegals immigrants on our tax dollars. The pro-illegal advocates and their special interest groups need educated illegals. This folks will prosper when the next amnesty gets passed. Just think, in 20 years some of those, currently illegal, people will be sitting Congressman, mayors, councilman, etc. That's when we can kiss the good old USA goodbye! .

Originally Posted by MW

That's great, let's educate all the illegals immigrants on our tax dollars. The pro-illegal advocates and their special interest groups need educated illegals. This folks will prosper when the next amnesty gets passed. Just think, in 20 years some of those, currently illegal, people will be sitting Congressman, mayors, councilman, etc. That's when we can kiss the good old USA goodbye! .

I agree, this is just as much as a threat to our nation as Illegal Immigration itself. These Dream Act Anchor Babies will be the Future Infiltrators of our Government and will attempt to destroy our American Values from within, replacing it with their 3rd world Ideals and Culture just as Pat Buchanan is predicting . Remember these Anchor Babies are the Enemy as well