Bill aims to end in-state tuition fees for illegal immigrants

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Bill aims to end in-state tuition fees for illegal immigrants
By Stephen Wall Staff Writer
Posted: 02/15/2010 11:12:21 PM PST


The days of taxpayer-subsidized college tuition could be coming to an end for tens of thousands of illegal immigrants.
Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced a bill to close a loophole that California and nine other states have used to provide lower-cost college tuition to illegal immigrants.
Supporters of the legislation say it's wrong for illegal immigrants to pay the same tuition as legal immigrants and U.S. citizens to attend public colleges and universities.
"In-state tuition is a benefit paid for by each state's taxpayers in order to improve educational opportunities for their citizens," said Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, whose district includes Victorville and Barstow.
"Extending this benefit to students in this country illegally undermines efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and keep college affordable for American citizens and the immigrants who come here legally to pursue the best higher education system in the world," McKeon said.
The bill changes the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act to clarify that illegal immigrants who attend a postsecondary educational institution are ineligible for in-state tuition unless the institution offers those rates to all American citizens.
"You're telling me somebody who is an American citizen, was born here and parents pay taxes has to pay more than somebody here illegally. That's not right," said Rep.
Gary Miller, R-Brea, whose district includes Chino and Chino Hills.
"We have a shortage of space for many students and you have limited dollars," he said. "With the dollars available, they should first be applied to people that are legally in this country and are citizens."
Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, has not taken a position on the bill. As a Californian, Lewis opposes in-state tuition for illegal immigrants but is generally opposed to the federal government putting limits on state policies, said Jim Specht, his spokesman.
Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas, voted for the 1996 bill intended to deny in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Dreier is reviewing the new measure and supports closing any loopholes in the law, said Jo Maney, his spokeswoman.
The bill, introduced in late January, provides out-of-state students with legal standing to file civil actions against states and institutions that violate the federal law.
The measure also bars any college or university that provides in-state tuition to illegal immigrants from receiving federal funds.
California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition.
California's law, which took effect in 2002, is being challenged in court by students from other states who say they were unfairly denied a benefit that was granted to illegal immigrants. The lawsuit is pending before the state Supreme Court.
There are 15,000 to 20,000 students in the state's community colleges receiving the break on fees. The University of California system has about 1,600 students using the benefit. The Cal State system does not track the number of students who pay in-state tuition.
Opponents of the bill say students who work hard and play by the rules shouldn't be punished for wanting a better future.
"If we allow kids to become productive students, they pay more in taxes and contribute to society," said Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino. "If we don't allow them to go to college, the burden falls on the rest of the taxpayers."



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