Mass. immigrant tuition bills gets new push
BC-US--Immigrant Tuition-Massachusetts, 2nd Ld-Writethru,0988
CHELSEA, Mass. (AP) — It seemed like a given that Mario Rodas would go to college. The Guatemalan-born student certainly had the academic credentials, going from English as a second language classes to taking advanced placement exams for college credit his senior year at Chelsea High School.
But paying for it was another matter. As an undocumented immigrant in 2005, Rodas would have had to pay out-of-state tuition fees to go to a public college in Massachusetts, and he couldn’t afford that.
If he had lived in Texas, Wisconsin or Utah, states that allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates, Rodas, now 22, might have graduated already.
“Every year we have more and more students in limbo here,” Rodas said. “And every year we have more and more students taking advantage (of in-state tuition) elsewhere. I don’t understand.”
Nearly three years after Massachusetts House lawmakers soundly rejected a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to attend college at in-state tuition rates, lawmakers are preparing to revisit the issue.
Currently, 10 states — California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin — have such in-state tuition laws for undocumented students. Oklahoma repealed its law in 2008.
Meanwhile, four states — Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina — have passed laws specifically banning undocumented students from being eligible for in-state tuition.
Nov 17, 2009 at 4:15 p.m.
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I know quite a few Democrats who signed onto the Obama Presidency that will fight against any travesty called Comprehensive Immigration Reform? The one in 1986 was a complete disaster and unable to handle the sudden in surge of millions of more destitute people, thinking they were going to collect welfare? Our country is overrun with every conceivable crime, that includes murder, child and female violation, document fraud, transporting of illegal aliens, welfare fraud, house invasion, burglary, robbery, spousal abuse, gangs and other heinous activities The biggest scourge is drunken driving, which is killing and maiming citizens and residents on the highways and streets in rampant numbers. Go to THE DARK SIDE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION site for statistics. The doors to America are wide open, but nobody in their right mind is going to accept the first surge of 2-3 million coming from the South when they hear Lady Napolitano proclaiming a new AMNESTY? Those who believe in America’s survival, without OVERPOPULATION as stated by the US Census bureau better read facts, not the lies at NUMBERSUSA. Those who want details of corruption in WASHINGTON and state government go to JUDICIAL WATCH. Overpopulation, traffic hell should go to CAPSWEB. Other sites of interest on Immigration enforcement is ALIPAC and AMERICAN PATROL. We the people have the ultimate power to throw out anti-sovereignty incumbent politicians. Call and command these do-nothings to--STOP--this facade at 202-224-3121.
Nov 16, 2009 at 9 a.m.
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My question exactly??
Nov 16, 2009 at 8:38 a.m.
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If I were in a country illegally like this kid I would have spent the last three years trying to legalize my status rather than trying to get into a college. If in fact he has been here since he was a baby then yes, there should be some way these kids can gain citizenship. But in the meantime they should not be given any rights afforded a citizen. If they're allowed all the benefits of a citizen what is the incentive for them to become legal?
Nov 16, 2009 at 5:51 a.m.
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Maybe we should just send all of us born here to another country
Nov 15, 2009 at 11:15 p.m.
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The argument is this: IF these children were brought here as children, they have no fault in their illegal entry. Often, the children that arrive here are toddlers and babies and this is the only culture they have known. As such, they have fulfilled the residency requirement (12 months) residency in state:
Per: http://registrar.wisc.edu/students/resid...
And, this is NOT providing them with any benefits other than those that our children have. IF I move to Carolina 12 months previous to my child's enrollment in the University system, that child qualifies for in-state as does tuition. These are kids that were moved here, and, if they have the qualifications for college, they obviously have been here several years, and this would be their primary (or only) culture. Why should they be punished for the mistakes of their parents?
Nov 15, 2009 at 9 p.m.
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Hey Disappointed, I totally agree with you, I think illegal immigrants SHOULD NOT get the same rights as US citizens. I married someone who is from another country, and just became a citizen not very long ago either. We worked hard, and lots of hurdles to get the right documents, especially when it comes to the US government to become legal status. After all the trouble we went through, we decided to have our children born here in the US.
Nov 15, 2009 at 8:32 p.m.
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We don't really need more taxes to pay for criminals when our citizens are needing jobs and to go to college with our help.
This country is seeing its last days as a great and just nation.
Nov 15, 2009 at 8:01 p.m.
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I suppose jobs that require a college degree are more jobs that Americans dont want..... right? Thats why they say they are here is to do jobs Americans dont want.
Nov 15, 2009 at 8:01 p.m.
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Americans are unemployed,Americans must pay tuition(where ever they elect to pursue education)Yet illegals get benefits OVER Legal citizens?
You will excuse this analogy...
"What The Hell Is Going On Out There"?
Nov 15, 2009 at 7:22 p.m.
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I love how we reward criminal behavior with more and more benefits.
Nov 15, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
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How about every year those illegals go home to go to college?
Nov 15, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.
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It looks like Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina are the only states with any intelligence.
Nov 15, 2009 at 5:59 p.m.
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Agreed Ozz. . .my husband is from Europe and after we were married in the US (we met in Europe) we had to bring A LOT of documentation, be questioned by Homeland Security to prove we had dated and not just married for a "green card", and paid almost $10,000. That was just to become a permanent resident. . .not even a citizen!! It's not fair for those who go through all the proper steps, paperwork, and fees to have to pay our tax money for the illegal immigrants to benefit. I just don't understand it!! Do things the right way or get them out of our country!!
Nov 15, 2009 at 5:57 p.m.
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What financial incentives are offered to illegal Americans in Guatemala wishing to attend a university?
Nov 15, 2009 at 5:49 p.m.
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Undocumented = Illegal Immigrant
Too bad they have to create a sob story with fogged language to mask the fact that he is in the country illegally.
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