Thread: Rhode Island College OP:Is Logic Illegal? (On H5353)

Is Logic Illegal?

Emmanuel R Echevarria, Anchor Contributor

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Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Opinion editorials are a great source of information at times, and not so great at others. Editorials preach to a set of people to whom one’s ideas coincide with, they serve as relaxation to many of us, but most importantly they serve as a way of expressing our concern(s) over an important matter. Opinions are healthy when they are supported by facts, as these must be the basis for a logical discussion to follow.
In last week’s edition of The Anchor, I found two instances where the slippery slope argument was used with direct evidence (or the lack thereof) refuting it within the same page.

I am speaking on the two articles on immigration from last week that attempted to address concerns with H5353, also known as the Student equal economic opportunity act. In these opinions the authors voiced concerns over illegal immigrants gaining access to in-state tuition and financial aid (meaning loans, grants, etc), which unfortunately was addressed equivocally.

Illegal immigration is a hot button issue, everyone is quick to jump up and denounce the criminal acts undocumented aliens commit when crossing borders, overstaying visas, and taking resources that belong to people of legal status in the United States. I cannot agree more, that fact that I came to this country with my parents at a very young age somewhat reinforced a sense of sympathy for some of those people because they come to find the city on the hill Ronald Reagan spoke of, but another part of this humble immigrant finds the accumulation of privileges illegal aliens are getting too generous.

Just as troubling is the fact that people believe anarchy (or the depletion of the rule of law) is coming because of a law that will probably not get passed, and if so, may got vetoed by a Republican governor. Illegal aliens (at least I hope) did not write the bill. I do not believe anyone whom is not either legal or in the process of legality (meaning an accepted application for United States naturalization) should receive the benefit of paying in-state tuition. Nevertheless, the argument that these people will receive financial aid is invalid.

Nowhere in H5353 does it state that illegal aliens or those in the process of naturalization will receive financial aid or federal grants. It is a mistake to believe in the existence of a bribe offering financial aid for the illegal, unless a social security card or number is forged. Nobody can mark a piece of paper for an illegal and allow them financial benefits for an education besides those of private interest nature (meaning loans, or scholarships funded by privately owned associations/organizations) which they could already obtain if needed. The fact that people pay in-state tuition does not guarantee the award of financial aid, only legal status does (residency or citizenship).

What amazes me is the ability in which state legislators, some of which proposed this bill, create wide provisions like allowing those who do not have a legal status and aren’t even in midst of the legal process to pay in-state rates so long as they intend on becoming legal whenever possible. Obviously illegal aliens will attempt to seek legalization whenever possible, but how does this loophole rise and what does it even mean? Is this a promise the student must issue to bursar’s office after enrolling? How is this regulated? Lastly, is this the standard quality and caliber for the people we elect to represent our local interests? Unfortunately there are no answers so far as to any of these questions but the last.

We apparently can’t expect too much from Rhode Island’s political leadership, I hope we can at least expect a wide nay vote. I am not preaching mass deportations for our governments, state and federal, have much bigger issues to take care of than surrounding undocumented immigrants and deporting them, or punishing those who came here under the decision of an adult. The law was created, it is sound, and should not be amended. It is a completely irrational thing to say that these people will get additional rights or aid in completing their education because of the passage of this bill. The bill offers no language supporting such a claim, and people shouldn’t be hasty in claiming an effect of a piece of legislation if there is no such claimed within its language, unless logical assumptions follow.

Comments
http://www.anchorweb.org/opinions/is-lo ... -1.1714123

Paying in-state tuition IS a form of financial aid. The Dreamers want access to financial aid, don't doubt it.

They are in our country illegally and as such have not earned the opportunities of American citizens. The American tax payers should not be saddled with paying for illegals college, period.