Aggies & Illegal Immigrants: A Sudden Bout Of Common Sense

• "so they can remain in low-paying jobs for the rest of their lives and leach off other taxpayers" At least there would be English speaking people working in these jobs. Apparently our economy creates a lot of jobs at the bottom of our economy. If we tax citizens to subsidize the education of foreign nationals living here illegally, WHO will fill all these low-skilled jobs? We would need a whole NEW BATCH of illegals who will be leaching off other taxpayers. And in the meantime, foreign nationals will be competing with our own citizens for the better paying jobs that Americans definately want and WILL DO. Why should we be taxed to educate non-citizens who will take good jobs and depress wages for our children?

• another brilliant idea from the aggies. let's just make school too expensive for these kids (that have already been a texan for longer than many other texans) so they can remain in low-paying jobs for the rest of their lives and leach off other taxpayers.

• I have a lot of sympathy for the illegal children of illegal aliens. I think it was dispicably irresponsible of their parents to put them in such an untenable position. That said, I would reluctantly deport them because NOBODY should benefit from a crime. It would send the wrong message to future would-be illegal aliens that would encourage them to bring their children here for a very expensive American tax-payer funded education. I don't really buy the argument about integration. First, I would note that their parents uprooted themselves from a society where they were integrated and came to one that they had only seen in magazines and on TV and where they likely did not speak the language and where they had to hide in the shadows. If that was OK for the parents then it is not that harsh to return the kids to a society where they hold citizenship and where their English language skills and expensive American education will allow them to compete for the best jobs. Secondly, the law is much more expansive than you imply. It goes well beyond kids that were 1 to 5 years old when they came. It covers kids that were upto 16 and most any kid that was over the age of 10 is at least as well integrated with his native culture as ours. All that said, I am sympathetic. After they were deported and after the rest of the illegal aliens are made to return home, I would favor a law that gave these kids immigration preferences (but not guarantees). But I would only support that law if it barred these kids from EVER sponsoring their parents for citizenship because those criminals should NEVER benefit from their crime.

• I think these students should get in state tuition. The reason I'm okay with that is not all these law breakers broke the law knowingly. I know people kids who are now entering their final year of high school or are already in college who did not "sneak" in. They were brought to the U.S from ages ranging from a one year old to 5. Are you seriously going to deport someone who has now integrated into our society because of a choice their parents made. These kids have no idea what their "home country" even looks like except from tv or magazines. I support the DREAM act because some of these kids are born into situtions that they could not control. Just like they couldn't control their skin color or size, they didn't have a choice at such a young age. You might he against it but that's because it really does not pertain to your own situation. Put yourself in their shoes and stop being such tight butts.

• I was born in Texas, moved to Florida, and I am now in my 5th year at A&M. If it weren't for scholarships, I would have to pay out-of-state tuition! Doesn't make any sense.

• Thanks, Kuff. I was going from the viewpoint (which I'm about to experience) that it's the parents who pay the tuition bills, but yours is a good distinction to make. I fixed.

• "Actually, it allows the children of undocumented immigrants - children who were born here in the US - to pay in-state tuition. Read the bill, which by the way was signed by Governor Rick Perry, here." I think it is YOU that needs to re-read the 2001 bill. It allows the foreign born illegal alien children of illegal aliens to get in-state tuition. It violates Federal Law by failing to offer this same deal to citizens of other states. Essentially the state of Texas is treating foreign nationals who are in violation of our laws better than it does USA citizens. Children who are born here, regardless of the status of their parents, are citizens. I would be extremely surprised if there was any controversy about whether they should be allowed in-state tuition. That would clearly be an indefensible 14'th Amendment violation of their rights.

• "A 2001 bill allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition in Texas" Actually, it allows the children of undocumented immigrants - children who were born here in the US - to pay in-state tuition. Read the bill, which by the way was signed by Governor Rick Perry, <a href="http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=77R&Bill=HB1403">here</a>.

• In-state tuition to foreigners that snuck over here? Ridiculous. Call and/or write your representative and tell them we want this bill repealed!

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