Thread: CO: Lawmaker: Illegal immigrants should get in-state tuition

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Lawmaker: Illegal immigrants should get in-state tuition
By Eli Stokols

January 30, 2009

DENVER -- A bill proposing to grant in-state tuition to all Colorado high school students, including illegal-immigrants, was introduced Friday by Sen. Chris Romer.

"For us to be an economic success, we need to make sure all these kids can get into college," said Romer, D-Denver. "And right now a small number of students can't go to college because their immigration status."

To be eligible for the reduced tuition, undocumented students would have to have graduated from a Colorado high school or received their GED within the past five years. They also must have been enrolled in a Colorado public or private high school for at least three years.

"I firmly believe we shouldn't punish children for the decisions of adults," Romer said. "These are exactly the kids we want to incentivize to work hard, stay in school, not drop out, and help us build a great economy for Colorado."

Romer's argument may be more likely to succeed in these trying economic times. In fact, he's already touting support from Republican businessmen around the state, including Dick Monfort, a Weld County cattleman, chairman of the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees and the owner of the Colorado Rockies.

"Candidly, right now I'm really struggling getting any Republican support [at the Capitol]. But I have hundreds of Republican businessman who know that this is exactly what Colorado needs," Romer said.

Of course, it's Republican lawmakers who will help determine the fate of Romer's bill.

"This policy, for all its compassion, amounts to Colorado thumbing its nose at federal immigration law," said Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield. "States can't extend in-state tuition to illegal immigrants unless they make that same offer to everyone from every state in the country. In other words, it does away with the concept of in-state tuition."

Romer said federal law mandates that school districts educate all children, regardless of immigration status, from kindergarten through high school. From there, those undocumented students struggle to go to college because many can't afford out-of-state tuition, which is $7,041. In-state tuition is $2,340.

"We need to give them a chance to sit at the table of higher education with all of our students," Romer said. "So this is not only an economic essential, it's a moral call for us to make this right for all children."

But, on simply economic terms, Mitchell believes this bill could actually cost taxpayers thousands of dollars if it gets tangled up in the legal system.

"Any time you try to do something drastic like this, that is, or may be, at odds with federal law, you're promising yourself a court headache and extensive, expensive litigation," Mitchell said.

www.kwgn.com

CHRIS ROMER
Colorado State Senator, District 32
Office Location: 200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4852
E-Mail: chris.romer.senate@state.co.us



Committee Assignments
Education, Vice-Chair
Transportation

http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/ ... /sen32.htm

In-state tuition bill gets support

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News

A prominent Republican businessman has thrown his support behind a bill that would grant in-state college tuition to high school students regardless of their immigration status.

Dick Monfort, a Weld County cattleman and chairman of the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees, said tough economic times require a "forward-thinking" education policy.

"Opening educational opportunity for more of our high school graduates means our state will have a more developed work force down the road, and will be able to attract more high-growth industries," he said in a statement.

To be eligible for the reduced tuition, undocumented students would have to have graduated from a Colorado high school or received their GED within the past five years.

http://www.politicker.com/colorado/2811 ... ts-support

"For us to be an economic success, we need to make sure all these kids can get into college," said Romer, D-Denver.

Didn't realize that our economic success depends on illegal aliens going to college. Sorry bud, they don't need a college education to work as farm hands, maids and housecleaners. American students are having a hard enough time affording college and you want to give away $$$ and spots to illegal aliens? HELL NO!

"I firmly believe we shouldn't punish children for the decisions of adults," Romer said.

Well, I firmly believe, every American child is being punished right now as a result of our politicians mishandling of our economy and the failure to enforce the 1986 immigration reform laws.

nuff said.

"For us to be an economic success, we need to make sure all these kids can get into college," said Romer, D-Denver.

But if we do pay our money to educate illegal aliens, how will that benefit us? They aren't legally permitted to get a job after graduating! It is just wasting money.

"And right now a small number of students can't go to college because their immigration status."

Thumbing your nose at our Federal laws is a bad thing to do for a "small number of students".

Here's my solution: Deport the students and their parents. Think of the money you'd save as well as open seats in the classes. Another problem solved!

"For us to be an economic success, we need to make sure all these kids can get into college," said Romer, D-Denver. "And right now a small number of students can't go to college because their immigration status."

Stupid. For any state to become an "economic success" in these times of financial crises, WE NEED TO HAVE ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DEPORTED, so that we can concentrate on American students getting affordable college educations, and making sure ALL Americans get jobs that can support their families.

I saw a report on the local news on Friday and over 87% of Coloradans said No!!! But I cant find the poll anymore they must have taken it down to appease the minority!!