A group of colleges and universities has decided to jump into the illegal immigration debate. The College Board, made up of 5,000 schools, wants Congress to give illegal immigrants tuition help and a path to citizenship. The board released a report Tuesday that called for passage of the Dream Act, federal legislation that would open up in-state college tuition, financial aid and legal status to many illegal immigrants in the U.S.
In the report, "Young Lives on Hold: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students", the board makes its first public push after states in recent years have moved to bar illegal immigrants from paying in-state tuition and, in some cases such as the Carolinas, enrolling in their public colleges:
Currently trapped in a legal paradox, undocumented students in the United States have the right to a primary and secondary school education, but then face uncertainty upon graduation from high school. While some states explicitly allow undocumented students to attend college, there are many confusing, gray areas that cloud the college admissions, financial aid and enrollment processes."This is a new area for us, but it was an easy call," Thomas W. Rudin, a senior vice president for the College Board, told the Associated Press.
Those who seek greater enforcement of immigration laws, such as Federation for American Immigration Reform, say illegal immigrants -- because many are on the lower end of the economic scale – will usurp most of the need-based financial aid.
"It's a massive amnesty effort being laid for this fall," Bob Dane, a spokesman for the federation, told the AP.
At the N.C. Community College system, school officials changed its longtime practice of allowing illegal immigrants to enroll in any of its 58 campus. Out-of-state tuition is about $7,000 a year, while the cost of instruction for a student is less than $5,400.
The policy is currently under review. A consultant who was hired by the two-year system reported this month that the colleges could profit from admitting illegal immigrants at out-of-state rates.
Megen George, a spokeswoman for the two-year system, told the Observer that board members needed time to review the 136-page report and are expected to discuss it when the board reconvenes at its May 14 and May 15 meetings.
Check out the report here. You can also read parts of the report in Spanish, which my colleague Rogelio Aranda noted in his blog, Entérese.
Additional findings:
- About 360,000 illegal immigrants nationwide with high school degrees could qualify for the tuition aid.
- An estimated 5 percent to 10 percent of the 65,000 illegal immigrants who graduate from high school each year go to college.
- South Carolina bans illegal immigrants from enrolling at any of its public colleges, and Alabama blocks them from its two-year colleges. Missouri and Virginia are also considering laws that deny enrollment.
Let's see: it's getting harder and harder for legal U.S. citizens to get scholarships, grants, and loans for a college education, and yet our esteemed educators want to open up the government pot to criminals (yes,I said "criminals"--that's the definition of illegal). These people do not contribute to our government. The money they would be using to go to college is my money, and your money, in the form of taxes. How can anyone with any common sense think this is OK???? This is no different than if they walked up to my house with a gun, demanded $1000 to help fund their illegal child's education, and walked off with it. The only difference is that the government is the gun. Illegals have NO RIGHTS TO ANY OF MY HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS simply through the virtue of their being in my country ILLEGALLY. Wake up, people! They're already costing the state of California $10.5 billion per year. All told, they put around $1.5billion back in, not even coming close to covering the expense of their upkeep. And guess what? Cali is bankrupt. Taxpayers aren't getting their refunds this year, but illegals are sure enough getting welfare benefits and free medical care. Absolutely not, no way, this is enough!!!!
ReplyDeleteKelly Williams
Charlotte, NC
Sweet. I think I'm going to move to Mexico, only to sneak back home so I can get help with my education. What a great country we live in. Worry about the rest of the world before our own people! I really feel bad for the next generation! Good luck to all the middle class american kids!
ReplyDeleteTotal BS. Become a citizen then we will help out.
ReplyDeleteCollege Board: Insert Head In Arse! Do they have to take a forein language? Or can they skip those credits? While we're at it, maybe give each one a tudor to make sure they succeed. Then hire a head hunter to find them a job. All while doing it on our dollar!
ReplyDeleteNo way. College Board is for legal citizens only who pay taxes not illegals who have colleges in their own country where they are citizens.
ReplyDeleteIf illegal immigrant citizens want to become citizens then follow the law and wait in line like all the rest. Dont cheat and jump ahead in line and work the system illegally. Stop taking advantage of taxpayers. Most illegals workers are paid in cash and send their money back to Mexico.
Taxpayers are taxed to the hilt and playing the system as these illegals do has put many hospitals out of business and bankrupted states with their astronomical medical expenses like freeloading births and other freebies taking away from legal citizens. Go back home and wait your turn. You have your own country where you are a citizen.
Once you wait your turn and and are sworn in by the Feds then you are an equal citisen but until then you are breaking the law.
So college's want more attendees without lowering their tuition rates?
ReplyDeleteHow altruistic of them!
ABSOLUTELY NOT! It's hard enough for AMERICAN CITIZENS to get the money needed for higher education. Now, we're going to start footing the bill for illegal immigrants? Absolutely not! This is sickening news! When is this crap going to stop? IT'S NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
ReplyDeleteCome to MY country legally, go through the proper passages to citizenship, LEARN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, and carry your share of the tax burden. After they do those things, then by all means, go ahead and get the help you need to get an education. Until then, go back to your own country and come back when you're ready to follow the proper channels to citizenship!
Why don't go the extra mile and "bailout" these illegal aliens and pay their ENTIRE tuition???? whats freakin' crock!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I went to France, UK, Germany, Japan, China, or any where in the world, I couldn't get this deal. This is what makes the USA better.
ReplyDeleteThis is great news! About time America started being American! Everyone should have the right to an education. Educated adults provide stability and prosperity that spreads into all sectors of the community. The area and location of your birth should not limit your potential to be an active educated member of your community. Why so much hatred for those who have a dream? Education should NEVER be denied to those who seek it.
ReplyDeleteI am a proud American, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Colleges could care less if they dug up corpses and placed them in a seat as long as they could get more tax money for it.
ReplyDeleteLet the College Board Members know how you feel. List of all their members can be found here
http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch/searchMInstitution.jsp?i_state=NC&searchaction=searchUS
What is funny is that every report states that Illegals are costing each State Billions. Now this report says that eating our pride will at least slow down this spending.
This report should also state what it would save our Universities and Colleges if we used the money to stop Illegals from entering these Universities and Colleges.
The media seems to think we have no other choice but to accept this situation as it. What they do not realize is that a tipping point is coming soon.
Of course. It's other peoples money. Why does the writer care. NO. We can't afford it.
ReplyDeletewhere does it say that you have a right to a secondary education? Doe anybody bother to read our Constitution and Bill of Rights/Amendments anymore? Who are these people that think they always have a right to everything? You don't have a right to a college education you Moron!!! Illegals don't even have a right to be here.
ReplyDelete...And for the one who said he was a "proud american", Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. Look it up. Don't be so quick to think pride is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteRidiculous. Why don't you make it easier instead for Americans to attend?
ReplyDeleteHere an idea, Liberals in favor of funding your futre voting base, pony up for their health care and education. Those who think we are being over run by the despots, you are excused. See pretty simple. Of course liberals are always very generous with other peoples money and recent studies have confirmed that conservates on a whole give much more to charities.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.. being that the vast majority of North Carolinians profess to being Christians, perhaps we should ask "what would Jesus do?"
ReplyDelete"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18
"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:35-40
I think it is really stupid to take tax dollars and educate someone, that after graduation from both high school and college, cannot legally work here. I also do not see how it can benefit America to pay to educate a person to use that education in Mexico or any other country.
ReplyDeleteI may support, however, allowing illegals to attend college if they agree upon graduation, to return to their home country and work there, and forfeit any future in America, to work and build their country back up.
Gee, my LEGAL immigrant wife and all her LEGAL immigrant friends had to pay OUT-OF-STATE tuition.
ReplyDeleteAnd that seems to be the rule in most of the US.
Too bad they didn't know that all they had to do was BREAK THE IMMIGRATION LAWS to get a break on their tuition.
What kind of stupidity is this?
Wait....how can these students bring in a profit for the colleges? Is it via government money that our taxes pay for? Please, i don't hate immigrants but can't they become citizens FIRST and pay taxes like the rest of us to get a college education? This is really a tough one folks. We want to help other people and give them a fair chance but the economy is so bad I don't mind paying taxes for healthcare for others and public school but I am really sorry I draw the line at having my taxes pay for a COLLEGE education for someone that can't give back. If they can't be come a citizen BEFORE the College Degree, they can't become one after and I just threw my tax money to a university - that will make a profit on it via goverenment funding - but it won't come back to my country,county,state because an illegal immigrant can't get a tax paying job!!! Please, am I missing something here? I don't begrudge someone trying to make a better life for their families...my own came from Italy three generations ago. But folks, they became citizens, did it legally and happily paid taxes for the good life they had for working so hard. Why doesn't our government loosen the laws for the spanish speaking community so they can get a tax paying job and pay into their new home and THEN get help with college? Am I misssing a critical point in this debate? And please - lets not hate these people okay? It is not right to do that.
ReplyDeleteHey Bible boy!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't say anything about doing all that for a damn criminal!!!!
YOU GO PAY FOR THIS CRAP!!!! THE REST OF US HAVE HAD IT!!!!
Here is the corrected version!
ReplyDelete"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the LEGAL alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18
"'For I was hungry and stole the food off your familes table, I was thirsty so I drove backwards down the highway wasted till I killed your family, I was a stranger and invited your daughter into a sex slave ring,
I needed clothes so I took those you donated for Americans, I was sick so I filled your emergency rooms, I was in prison and created latino gangs that now bless your streets.
We can give them a chance all right. A chance at a window or aisle seat for the bus ride back to Mexico. Let them go to college there.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for helping out my fellow man, but I have to start that help in my own house first before I cross the street and help others. Those that live in my "house" are LEGAL US citizens. And as long as there are US citizens who can't afford to go to college, one single dime of financial aid that goes to illegals is an outright shame.
ReplyDeleteI know it can take up to 5 yrs to become a LEGAL US citizen. But I still don't see that as an excuse as to why anyone wanting to receive financial aid shouldn't go through that process. I had to wait 5 yrs before I could go to college. Granted that wasn't because I was an ILLEGAL immigrant. After graduating high school I had to go to work full time to support my family, i.e. Mother & sister. I also had to save the money to go to college as my family couldn't afford to send me. I worked two full time jobs once I started college all the way through graduation. Yes I did receive financial aid, which I am still paying back every single month for the loans I received.
So for me the bottom line is this. If these kids want to go to college in this country, do the work necessary to achieve that dream. That's another piece of the fabric this great Nation has always been about. (Or at least it used to be that way) If you want to achieve your dream, you must be willing to put in the work to make them happen. Not just sit around and allow others to pave the way for you.
US tax dollars should help US citizens. Plain and simple.
"undocumented students in the United States have the right..."
ReplyDeleteOH H3LL NO THEY DON'T!!!
How ironic, an Illegal can go to our Universities and obtain a Law Degree to practice in our Legal system.
ReplyDeleteMmm, just doesn't sound right does it?
I played by the rules, paid my own way through college, finishing up paying for my two sons and now I'm going to have to pay for illegals also? I guess retirement is going to be just a pipe dream.
ReplyDeleteI really wish people would take just a minute of their time and do a little research. Most undocumented immigrants pay their taxes. They've been doing so since at least 1996, when the government began issuing them tax ID numbers. States like Alabama are effectively denying a service that immigrants are helping to pay for.
ReplyDeleteMore than that, who in their right mind thinks we need FEWER college grads in this day and age? You do realize that we're competing with countries who's education systems have begun to outstrip us, don't you? Education benefits us all, even you backwards xenophobes.
Heck, I'll bet some of them even know the difference between who's and whose. Can you tell I haven't finished college?
ReplyDelete"This is great news! About time America started being American! Everyone should have the right to an education. Educated adults provide stability and prosperity that spreads into all sectors of the community."
ReplyDeleteYes everyone should have a right to an education, but not FREE college if you're illegal! Idiot!
It is not a matter of just paying for it. This assumes that these are like extra slots that no one else would take. Our universities limit enrollment, each illegal is an American not getting that slot.
ReplyDeleteA child of a taxpaying, law abiding citizen who will lose the racial preference game every time. And let there be no doubt, the current administrations at these colleges love "diversity" i.e. sticking it to "the backwards xenophobes."
Look, whom ever wrote that illegals pay taxes using a tax ID number given by the government is incorrect. I have worked with a company that employees thousands, yes thousands of illegals in the agriculture industry and all of their checks are cut using fake id cards. Why doesn't the company care you may ask? Because they are getting cheap labor and questioning someone's background would be considered deiscrimination. So, NO we are not seeing any of their so called tax money!
ReplyDeleteIf you're not Native American Indian, guess what... you are descendant of an illegal immigrant. There's a word for it: hypocrite.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I think that when my ancestors came to America they didn't do it by jumping a fence and crossing their fingers that they would make it through the desert without getting caught. Times have changed and so has international policy. How is that being a hypocrite? Oh, you must be illegal.
ReplyDelete"If you're not Native American Indian, guess what... you are descendant of an illegal immigrant."
ReplyDeleteIs that a serious statement?
So, if I understand this correctly, the college board in its infinite wisdom is rewarding ILLEGAL aliens for their ILLEGAL existence here in the United States by bestowing on them more rights than citizens of this country are entitled to. What's wrong with this picture?
ReplyDeleteWhy should ILLEGAL ALIENS be given anything, Mr. Ordonez? I realize that this has been a perennial conversation within this country, but I believe that the disdain for American laws shown by every alien breaking our laws has reached a saturation point. Why should hard-working citizens be expected to cover expenses resulting from illegal behavior? Would Americans be met with open arms when demanding health care and education in other countries? Can we set up PACs in other countries to pass legislation that everyone in that country learn OUR language? This is total B.S. and I'm sick of the Latino invasion of our country. Just because our law enforcement and legislators lacks the testicular fortitude to enforce our laws doesn't make it any less ILLEGAL to cross our borders without authorization.
ReplyDeleteAmerican citizens need to rise up and force our elected officials to do their jobs... while there is still an English speaking America.
Thank you to everyone who voted for the morons that that will soon pass this bill.
ReplyDeleteTo the rational mind this opinion (and it's exactly that - the OPINION of a group of universities) makes no sense. Issue 1: It makes moot the concepts of citizenship and state residency. By allowing illegals (let's not sugar coat it and call them 'undocumented') to attend state university as 'residents' implies that they are on equal ground with US citizens and residents of a state.
ReplyDeleteIssue 2: Providing tax funded scholarships, grants, or loans diverts and dilutes the intended benefit of those tax revenues. I would interested to know if tax loan stipulates that revnue cannot be used to fund illegal activity (such as being in this country illegally...)
Why don't we spend the money on building a wall instead of spending it on education for illegals? This is just going to make things worse. Don't we have enough problems in our country with our actual citizens? Why do we always feel that we have to make the rest of the world feel that we owe them something for our hard work, determination, and willingness to succeed? These Universities definetly don't want me running for office.
ReplyDeleteI noticed what may be an ironic upside to illegals using fake IDs. Now that I'm getting older, I get a Social Security statement every 6 months or so. It's an "If you retire at 65, your monthly benefits will be" statement. I'm not counting on seeing much of that income, but it also lists my income/contributions over the years. For 2002, 03 and 04 somebody must have been using my SS# because the report lists my income/contributions about 50% higher than they really were. So thank you, illegal. If I ever do get my SS income it will be higher than it should be. Big IF, though.
ReplyDeleteFranco Ordoñez, are you an illegal immigrant (based on last name)???
ReplyDeleteDo you not have enough knowledge to comprehend that if you are illegal, you have no rights. What's next; lettillegal prisoners go next? You and The Observer are embarrassing. Glad to know where both of you stand!
As far as I am concerned the Charlotte Observer would be better off without Franco Ordoñez. He does not care about the taxpayers. Why doesn't he talk about the millions taxpayer funded translators are costing the school system. At my wife's hospital illegals get free health care. And the county (taxpayers) pick up the tab.
ReplyDeleteI am in favor of forcing illegals out. They need to take their anchor babies with them.
Taxpayer citizens come first!! Illegal scum never!!
I have a dream to, If you are ILLEGAL GO HOME! When is this country going to figure out life isn't fair, life isn't free! America is the country of all contries because of our LAWS, it's about time we started UPHOLDING THEM!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIf you're not Native American Indian, guess what... you are descendant of an illegal immigrant. There's a word for it: hypocrite.
April 24, 2009
YOU do realize if you are born in America, your are a US citizen. The illegals know this, that's why so many pregnant women flood California's hospitals. You know who pays for them, all of us taxpayers. What makes native Americans so special, that they were here first? What about areas of the US that had no native population? First people there can claim they are natives? Scientific evidence points to the first Americans came from Europe 10,000 years ago, not from Asia as first thought, so I guess they were illegal too.
Who are the BACKSTABBERS who are in control of our money?! I went to college 4.5 hrs from my home and paid out of state tuition. I am still paying 5 years later. Maybe we should start getting our green cards for other countries, because this one is a sinking ship.
ReplyDelete"If you're not Native American Indian, guess what... you are descendant of an illegal immigrant. There's a word for it: hypocrite." ...Actually, not so much--my ancestors came here well after the brutality of the colonial era, in a manner that complied with the laws of the time. (Not better or worse, just the facts...) They learned the language, got jobs, paid bills (and taxes!), jumped headfirst into the melting pot and proudly called themselves Americans, fought in wars to defend that privilege, lived average lives, generally stayed out of trouble (or paid the price for the laws they broke), and, to a person, those who went to college paid the full cost of their educational pursuits. People all over the world are waiting in line to come here and try to do the same--but we're going to give money away to people whose first act upon deciding to come to this country was to break its laws??? Normally, I lean toward liberalism, but this isn't politics, it's insanity...HELL, no.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of anchor babies: Is this law being considered for serious revision? I think it should be rescinded, retroactive to 2000. Anyone born from illegal aliens should not be granted citizenship. Period.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck were people thinking?
All I can say is - disgusting. Rewarding criminals. Screwing American tax-payers.
ReplyDeleteLet the REVOLT begin!!!, The time has come for that well Armed Militia our fore fathers wrote about.
ReplyDeleteHere is the contact form for the College Board Headquarters
ReplyDeletehttp://www.collegeboard.com/about/contact.html?region=NYO
WRITE THEM QUICKLY AND WRITE THEM OFTEN. Unless of course this email is deleted by the moderator.
Just something to think about: The European came to this country, killed the native (legal citizen of this land) passed laws proclaiming they and their decendants are the legal citizen, deny new comers the legal right to be here. Anyone bother to ask the American Indian for their oppion regarding "illegal" being in this country? How about the "Illegal" pay for college just like everyone else? Legalize the non-criminal illegal immigrant and deport the real "criminal" back to where ever they came from. I am sure a majority of illegal immigrant would love to work, pay tax and become productive member of this society. Imagine the true cost of capturing and deporting all illegals and the consequences. The cheap prices that you all enjoy from your oranges, your burgers, your fried chickens wont be so cheap anymore. You think you really can afford to stay in that nice house without the sweats of the illegals ? Its basically willful slavery. You doubt my words ??? do the research yourself. Every builders out there know their are illegals working on their houses. So please...put your anger aside and think for a moment. Is illegal immigrant a problem ? Yes it is. How about offering some real solutions instead of criticize others who really want to solve the problem. Please.....THINK !!!
ReplyDeleteMr (Ordonez) isn't that biased to have a write of the same ethnic background? For legal American Citizens to go to college they make you jump through so many hoops, but for these illegal's the doors are propped wide open not just for college but for food stamps and medicare also, all the while they are being paid cash, the employers that employ them should be sought out and the illegals should be sent back.
ReplyDeletethe reason the colleges want this is because the immigrants are so poor because they for one do not report their income, and they are a shoe in for federal grants, have you ever seen what these people at these colleges make, the more people in the more they make
ReplyDeleteThe government wants to have sole charge of giving out college loans. The free loans will go to people like illegal aliens or the fed will give amesty to the illegals. The feds want our money and more importantly they want our VOTES. Get active!! Go to a Tea Party on 7/04 and join the silent majority and VOTE next time! In the meantime email your congressmen and tell them to STOP spending and taxing and giving away our hard earned dollars to illegal aliens and crazy schemes.
ReplyDeleteI graduated from UNCC and am still paying back the loans I had to take out to attend. I was never scared to compete for my slot with anyone, legal or illegal. Some of the comments are well thought out, some are just ignorant and show how racist some people can be. Why would the author of this blog be illegal as one of the anonymous posters asked? I've read the blogs and see facts, no opinion really, I can't tell where the author stands on illegal immigration and certainly won't assume he's "for it" because of his last name. I don't know anyone that is "for illegal immigration". I'm for making legal immigration shorter and less expensive. How are more educated people going to hurt anyone?
ReplyDeleteI have a suggestion - just make it illegal for an illegal alien to to got to high school, middle school and elementary school then the college thing won't be an issue. No one whose status is illegal should be allowed to register for school of any kind period.
ReplyDeleteThey should be allowed to go to school but after college when they get a job they should have to pay back the money used to pay for their college 2x. with tax.
ReplyDeleteYou people are sick!! how can you call illegal people criminals! you people are criminals taking land that was your there own! illegal immigrants pay taxes you ingnorant. they are hard working people! and never give up, they work for there money not being feed by the goverment. you are the onces destroying your own governement. I know that illegal people will have there good place and status soon, and to you i hope God forgives you. you have no idea what those people suffer trying to support there family and looking for a better life,im sorry i didt know that was a crime.
ReplyDeleteYah ppl are so fucked up and ignorant !!!
ReplyDeleteYou only care about money and money
smh and that's why in the bible says this
the first country that is goin down .
Ya don't give a FUCK about any other
peoples dream that's why for being
how ya motherfuckers are going to stay
how ya are !!!! Like god says help
others that yurs is comin back yur way.
I hope people really stop being so ignorant foreal . And don't forget ya be goin to other ppl countries too imagen how would yu feel if somethin like this happened to ya !
Just about everyone here does not know what he or she is talking about. You have obviously not done your research. First of all, more than one third of the illegal immigrants here in the U.S. pay taxes. Secondly, almost all of the money they get from college are from non-government funded agents. Individuals donate money specifically for minorities so most of it really isn't you tax money; however, about 51% of YOUR tax money does go to paying for the war. This means for veterins heath care needs and for the military's needs. Lastly, immigrants do not move for no reason. Many leave family behind because there is no future in thier home towns. Each and every immigrant that comes to the U.S. would LOVE to be a citizen, but most are not given that opportunity.
ReplyDelete...Or we could talk ethics. A kid is born in the U.S. and before the kid can even talk, he or she has the right to vote, the right to a decent work environment, the right to education, the right to dignity, freedom of speech, along with a whole lot more. What did this kid do to EARN this? Nothing. It was just by chance that he or she was born in America. The kid had no control over it. Yet, if another child is born outside of the U.S., it is only by chance that this child has none of what the other kid has, particularly if born in a third world country. What has either child done to deserve what they have recieved? Nothing.
So who deserves what? The kid born in America could grow up to be a rapest and the other child could be a hard worker. But does that matter? Absolutly not, no matter what they do, it all depends on where they were born, and not on the person they are or will become.
All of you are nothing but selfish. You see everything through one side. If you open your eyes to others, you will see a harsh truth to life.