Thread: Everyone wins with immigrant tuition bill (Cow Dung opinion)

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/colum ... leid=98714

Everyone wins with immigrant tuition bill

---- Edited by Husker, Everyone that is EXCEPT American citizens ---------

Everyone wins with immigrant tuition bill
By C.L. / Guest Columnist
Sunday, May 15, 2005

Editor's note: We have agreed to keep the author of this column anonymous in order to protect the student and the family.

It is sad and disappointing that the Marlborough City Council is opposing the In-State Tuition Bill. As a 17-year-old undocumented immigrant student who has lived in Massachusetts for five years, I see the In-State Tuition Bill as a very helpful thing, not only for me but also for our country's economy.

Students who will have access to this opportunity are the ones that have put all of their effort into every year of high school -- People who are smart, responsible and human beings just like everybody else.

All we want is to become somebody. We just want to develop our skills to help this society grow. We are not drug dealers or thieves, or even responsible for being here. Our parents brought us to this country at a very young age, and now that we have been here so long, we see America as our home.

Whether this bill is passed or not, the immigrants that you "hate" so much will still be here. There will still be landscapers who don't speak a word of English, there will still be a Brazilian or Hispanic person serving you coffee in the mornings at Dunkin' Donuts.

Opposing this bill will not stop immigration, it will not make people "go back to where they're from." It will only stop hard working students from contributing to this state and this country.

Don't you think that it would be better to turn these students into the great professionals of the future? --- Edited, NOPE, it would be much better to send them, along with their lawbreaking parents back where they came from, so that if they wish to be educated, it can be on their home contries tab -------- Wouldn't it be better to let one of us become the next scientist to discover the cure for cancer? Or even the greatest architect to design the next White House? Who knows what we could discover?

Right now all we want is an opportunity to show you how far we can go and how productive we can become.

Hopefully, the people against this bill take time out of their day to actually read the bill. Maybe then they will realize that we are not asking for money, or for a discount. All we are asking is to pay the same rate as our high school classmates. ----- Edited again, WHAT!!! You are precisely asking for a taxpayer paide discount! and he claimed to be a smart one??? -------

My parents have been here for over five years now, they have been working this entire time and they pay taxes like everybody else. I started in 8th grade and this June 2005, I will be graduating with honors from Marlborough High School.

I have set many goals, one of the most important was to learn English, which I did after six months of being here. Another was to get straight A's and become an example for the rest of the English Language Learner students. My main goal was to get into college.

For four years, all I thought about was college. Every time I felt tired, the thought of going to college woke me up.I have accomplished all of my goals except the main one -- going to college. I have the desire, the motivation and the ability to get accepted to college -- the only obstacle that's stopping me is my economic situation because of my immigration status.

I would love to become an architect or an engineer. I applied to Massachusetts College of Art and was accepted. However, I was considered an out-of-state student because I don't have a Social Security number. The amount of money that you must pay when you are an out-of-state student is $20,000 a year. For an in-state student, it is $6,000 a year.

When I found out that I would have to pay $20,000 a year with no financial aid, loans or scholarships I realized that I wouldn't be able to go to college like I had always planned.

I feel like I am watching my future fade away as if it were just a cloud of colorful dreams. This is a feeling full of disappointment, frustration, sadness and bitterness.

By supporting the In-State Tuition Bill, you will change my future and the future of many immigrant students like me.

I hope the Marlborough City Council will reconsider its resolution on the In-State Tuition Bill. If members of the City Council change their mind, they will make a decision to help ushave a better future. They have the opportunity to send the right message to Marlborough students by helping us achieve our dreams.

C.L., Marlborough High School student

Go the University of Mexico!!!!!!

Whether this bill is passed or not, the immigrants that you "hate" so much will still be here.

First of all, the issue isn't that you think people "hate" you.
They don't.
Second, the issue is not with "immigrants," the issue is with ILLEGAL immigrants who have no right to be in the US.

When I found out that I would have to pay $20,000 a year with no financial aid, loans or scholarships I realized that I wouldn't be able to go to college like I had always planned.

Many Americans are in the same boat. Why should you benefit from resources that should be for Americans? Sneaking into the country does not entitle you to anything.



I agree with sixx. Go to the University of Mexico.

The people who should be bearing the brunt of this students frustration is the government her parents left behind. A government that did nothing to help this students parents make a living, so much so that they fled and came here to the USA with the full knowledge that they were breaking the law.

This student should be frustrated at the people of her former country who do nothing to change the status quo of their own government. Instead, they find it acceptable to flee to another country and by doing so creating a micro-community that cannot ever fully find it's place.

The parents of this student should be ashamed. They should made to feel the anger and frustration of this student. They are responsible for this situation. They made a choice - to commit a crime by coming to this country illegally. Unfortunately, that choice reverberates down a generation.

This student is VERY right to be angry, frustrated, and disappointed. But those feeling are misdirected unless while they are aimed at the laws and citizens of the country she has yet to become a part. This student is VERY wrong to think it is the citizens of the USA who are at fault in the matter.

The education this student has already received is perhaps ten times better than any he or she may have received in the country of the parents. I do not think this student has committed a crime either. What prevents this student from applying to his/her native country for a student visa or resident visa and correcting the error in judgement the parents made?

What prevents this student from applying to his/her native country for a student visa or resident visa and correcting the error in judgement the parents made?

What a novel idea.
Don't believe she ever thought of that.

Of course it is a NOVEL IDEA...everyone in this entire world looks to the American taxpayer to right every wrong...no one else is RESPONSIBLE...that we have done so much for so many for so long and without appreciation...only blame and hate for our payment...is one of the great irritants of my life.

Every time our government says they are spending x dollars to 'help this or help that' I cringe. They didn't ASK us about it...there are too many in our own nation that require help...truly NEED help...that don't get a single thought, much less a dimes worth of help.

Personally, I think they should ASK Americans before they redistribute our money to those who will never earn it.

RR

Unfortunately kids, your parents are criminals. They broke the law to get here, and didn't even consider how it would effect your future did they? Tell your parents that you want to pack up, and go home so you can be educated there, and maybe one day have a chance to legally migrate here.

Opposing this bill will not stop immigration, it will not make people "go back to where they're from." It will only stop hard working students from contributing to this state and this country.

No we have laws if enforced that will send you home. It might also be a reason for people to not come here ILLEGALLY

well this is sad but if we give into to feeling sorry for every person currently living we will have no Rule of Law at all.

First of all....WE DON'T KNOW if a student wrote it. Second of all....this is pathetic.....it's like prisoners writing letters to the Governor saying, "Please release me, I won't do it again".

If the child actually wrote the letter, then the child has not learned enough about American History to understand what he/she is writing about.

This is a low down disgusting TACTIC by the National Council of La Raza to try and pull at the "heart strings" of America.

DON'T FALL FOR IT. This student and his family KNEW the day they crossed that border that a college education at American Universities or Colleges was NOT AVAILABLE at In-State Tuition Rates and any day they could all be DEPORTED.

His parents have created the situation for potential disappointment....not us.

This is no sadder than a kid from New Hampshire wanting to attend the University of Massachusetts at In-State Tuition Rates.

Grow Up Kid...Get Over It.

Or better yet.....tell you sneaky parents to pack you up and head Home where you can attend your University in your Homeland at In-Country Tuition Rates....probably cheaper than US anyway.