Saturday, July 9, 2011

States Must Lead the Charge for Immigrant In-State Tuition

Anti-immigration groups repeatedly oppose legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants access to in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. What they do not realize is that access to higher education is an essential step if undocumented immigrants who have been living long-term in certain states are going to find their way out of a common cycle of poverty and low-wage (and often under-the-table) work to become productive, tax-paying and eventually legal citizens of this country.

It should be known that such legislation often targets young immigrants in their teens and 20s who were brought to the country illegally as minors, perhaps even as babies, by their parents or other family members. They typically know English well and have graduated from high school in a U.S. state. They often know no other life except life in the States. Despite opposition, many states have enacted or are considering laws that would allow undocumented immigrants who have graduated from high school in a state access to in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. This access to in-state tuition is critical for two reasons:

1.) Undocumented immigrants do not generally have access to federal student aid. To qualify for student financial aid, students typically must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder). By denying them access to in-state tuition, the out-of-state rates price immigrant students out of a higher education, essentially denying them realistic access.

2.) Children of illegal immigrants should not be punished for their parents' immigration law violations, or for bureaucratic delays in pursuing citizenship.

One of the most recent victories in this critical area impacting immigrants took place in Connecticut, where Gov. Dannel Malloy recently did a ceremonial signing of a bill that would allow illegal immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities, according to NBC Connecticut. To be eligible for in-state tuition there, students must have graduated from a high school in Connecticut and file a statement saying that they have applied or intend to apply for legal citizenship, the article explained. A story in the New Haven Independent highlights the grassroots effort that led to the passing of this legislation in Connecticut.

Victories in Connecticut however are dampened by struggles in states like Maryland, where opponents of a recently-enacted law similar to Connecticut's are collecting signatures to bring the matter to a referendum, according to the Baltimore Sun. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a bill into law in May that would allow undocumented immigrants access to in-state tuition. To be eligible for in-state tuition, immigrant students must have attended high school in Maryland for three years, and show that their family had filed state tax returns, the article pointed out. This allows them to pursue an education at a discounted rate at a public community college and be able to transfer to a four-year college at the reduced rate after accumulating 60 credits.

Then there are states like Pennsylvania, where legislation has recently been introduced for a similar bill, and proponents are just beginning the process that took legislatures in other states so long to put into effect. The article pointed out that only 11 states have enacted such laws.

In conclusion, getting the word out about the benefits of such laws through grassroots and formal efforts, as well as acquainting the general public with the stories behind the immigrants impacted by such laws, is what will get these laws passed. Proponents of these state laws must be vigilant, as such laws can all too quickly be overturned by a misinformed public. The more states that rise up and say they want these laws, the more clout there will be for the ultimate passage of the federal DREAM act. The ultimate goal? A path both to citizenship and a better life for immigrants in every U.S. state. 

By-line: This guest contribution was submitted by Lenore Holditch, who specializes in writing about top online colleges. Questions and comments can be sent to: [email protected].

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2011/07/states-must-lead-the-charge-for-immigrant-in-state-tuition.html

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