Thread: CT: Battle Over Undocumented Students

Battle Over Undocumented Students

By BOB CONNORS
Updated 3:45 PM EDT, Mon, Mar 14, 2011

Should undocumented students be afforded in-state rates to attend state schools in Connecticut?

That question will be the subject of a hearing at the Legislative Office Building Tuesday, according to CTnewsjunkie.com.

The measure would provide in-state rates to students in the country illegally, but who live in, and went to high school in Connecticut. Many of the students are brought to the country as small children, by parents who enter illegally, and have been here ever since.

Proponents of the bill say the undocumented students shouldn't be punished for their parents actions. "Students who are in this country, who were brought in by their parents when they were young, they didn't choose to break the law," Western Connecticut State University student Zach Richter told CTnewsjunkie. "They broke the law by virtue of something that someone else did. So it's completely unfair to punish them and punish our entire society by not having them as members."

The Democratically-controlled legislature passed a similar bill in 2007, but it was vetoed by then-Gov. M Jodi Rell. Some argue allowing undocumented students would be unfair to students who were born here.

"So all those kids that want to come to UConn from this state have a heck of a lot of competition amongst the kids who are naturally born here with full legal status," Rep. Pamela Sawyer, R-Bolton, told CTnewsjunkie. "How do I say to those students and parents, 'oh, by the way, we're going to that those seats away from you and give them to undocumented kids?'"

The hearing on the bill will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

www.nbcconnecticut.com

they have three bills regarding this subject

[quote="jean"]Battle Over Undocumented Students

By BOB CONNORS
Updated 3:45 PM EDT, Mon, Mar 14, 2011

Should undocumented students be afforded in-state rates to attend state schools in Connecticut?

NO, NO and NO !!!!!!!!!!

Conn. lawmakers hear pleas from students for in-state tuition bill for illegal immigrants

Published: Thursday, March 17, 2011

By MARY E. O’LEARY,
Journal Register News Service

HARTFORD — Lawmakers heard passionate pleas Tuesday from students, reinforced by higher education officials and the bill’s sponsor, to open up a more affordable path for illegal immigrant students to go to college.

The proposal would allow undocumented students who attend four years of high school in Connecticut to attend the state’s colleges and universities at the in-state tuition rate, a savings of at least $10,000 at the four state universities.

They would still not be eligible for state or federal financial assistance or scholarships, but the lower rate would greatly improve their chances of attending post-secondary education, the proponents said.

A similar bill passed in 2007, but was vetoed by then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Connecticut would join 10 other states with similar legislation if it is adopted this time around. Under current law, undocumented students have to pay out-of-state tuition rates.

Louise H. Feroe, acting chancellor of the Connecticut State University System, said access is the core mission of the system.

As an educator, she said she objects to a policy that puts up barriers to young people who are academically qualified, and who in many cases have spent their entire childhoods in Connecticut, but are hampered in pursuing college because of the actions of their parents who are not here legally.

“As a human being that just doesn’t seem right,â€