Thread: Colleges pushing tuition aid for illegals

WASHINGTON - Wading into the politically charged immigration debate, a group of colleges and universities is urging Congress to give illegal immigrants tuition aid and a path to citizenship in light of efforts in several states to block them.
The College Board, made up of 5,000 schools and best known for its SAT college admission tests, recently released a report that cites a need for federal legislation that would open up in-state college tuition, financial aid and legal status to many illegal immigrants in the U.S.
Speaking publicly on the issue for the first time, the board is making its push after states in recent years have moved to bar illegal immigrants from paying in-state tuition and, in some cases, enrolling in their public colleges. It also comes as opponents are warning that immigration reform now could reduce already-scarce jobs and college enrollment slots in the ailing economy.
"This is a new area for us, but it was an easy call," said Thomas W. Rudin, a senior vice president for the College Board.
He noted the contradiction in which illegal immigrants who are legally entitled to a K-12 public education suddenly hit barriers when applying to college, even when many are "honor roll students, athletes, class presidents and valedictorians."
"We absolutely believe it's important for opening up economic opportunities," Rudin said.
Under House and Senate bills known as the Dream Act, illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. as children - defined as age 15 and younger - and have lived here for five years could apply to the Homeland Security Department for conditional legal status after graduating from high school.
Such legal status would make the immigrants eligible for in-state college tuition rates and some forms of federal financial aid. Then, if they attend college or participate in military service for at least two years, the immigrants would qualify for permanent legal residency and ultimately citizenship.
The legislation, which has been introduced in various forms since 2001, comes as President Barack Obama is preparing to address the contentious issue of immigration reform later this year. The Dream Act has previously passed the Senate but failed to become law as it was folded into proposals for more comprehensive reform.
"It's a straightforward test of what America is about: Do we punish children for the actions of their parents?" said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. "If, as we try to pursue comprehensive immigration reform, we can't get this simple element done, I don't know what we can get done."
Opponents disagree.
"It's a massive amnesty effort being laid for this fall," said Bob Dane, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which seeks to restrict immigration. "Since many of these illegal (immigrants) and their families are overwhelmingly on the lower end of the economic scale, they're going to take the lion's share of need-based financial aid."
Among the College Board's findings:
About 360,000 illegal immigrants who have a high school degree could qualify for the tuition aid. Another 715,000 immigrants between the ages of 5 and 17 would also benefit if they are motivated to finish high school and pursue a college degree.
States that offer tuition aid to illegal immigrants generally saw increased college revenue by enrolling these additional students, rather than financial burdens caused by an influx of immigrants paying cheaper tuition.

http://www.ojornal.com/site/news.cfm?ne ... 3384&rfi=6

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....obviously to get more of our taxpayer-subsidies monies, right?

What has been the effect of undocumented students or illegal anchor babies competing with American Students/ Citizens?

By studying the grade point average you will notice that even with a
greater average for one student doesn't mean
the higher grade point is college bound or even taking
harder courses. US Citizens have been
cheated out of PREFERRED COLLEGES due to dumbies in an unfair system
of grade point averages permitting non college bound
students (undocumented immigrants) to have a better grade
point average somehow.

When all the schools grade point averages are put together,
someone taking a college level courses compared to lower
level 12th grade courses will probably be under so much more
pressure. And the grade point averages can end up being
the same for an undocumented and legal students, but
if the lower level 12th grade courses loaded person can get
that little sweet advantage it does knock that more prepared
college bound American child/citizen out by not being in the
top 5%, 10% or even 20% of the graduation class. So the
America Child/Citizen does not get into better college or college at all
often!

LUMPING ALL GRADE POINT AVERAGES TOGETHER IS NOT WISE! and
I am about 99.9% sure the school system are lumping illegal
immgrants, non-college bound students, and the very bright
student American students grades all together into one combined grade
point average group.

Who is most likely to lose above? and Who definitely has
the most to gain?

States that offer tuition aid to illegal immigrants generally saw increased college revenue by enrolling these additional students, rather than financial burdens caused by an influx of immigrants paying cheaper tuition.

What about the Americans Students being DISPLACED or no seats in class available for our CITIZENS?

GREEN GREED AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE

Well sure it was easy for you, since you are not the one that will be paying for it. The taxpayers, student visa holders and other students will cover the discounts you are offering illegal alien criminals.

Dixie