In State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

Imagine my shock last year when I read that a state university in my home state was planning on offering in state tuition to illegal immigrants. At first I though it was a mis-print but it was ture. In fact of the three state universities in Iowa, only one does not have some plan in-place to offer resident tuition rates to illegal aliens.

Iowa is not alone, while I was unable to come up with an exact number — several other states offer resident tuition to illegal aliens. [Yes, the dis-oriented author's use of the politically incorrect term is deliberate.]

The rationale is that the children of illegal aliens who grow up in this country have a greater chance of being successful and not being a burden to the taxpayer. Many of these illegals have been in this country for years and have attended our schools.

The problem is that these students are here illegally. Even if they did not make the choice — their parents did. It is absurd that we provide any but the most basic humanitarian services to illegal aliens. But to provide special privileges based on their illegal status, breeds contempt for the law.

I have friends who have come to the United States legally on student visas and attended university. Some of them waited years until they receives a visa so they could come. When they came they had to pay non-residetn tuition just like my children if they attend school outside of Iowa. What message do we send to those who obey the law if we reward those who do not.

Not only are such benefits unfair to law abiding citizens and visitors — they are illegal. Title 8 section 1623 of the United States Code reads:

Not withstanding any other provision of law, an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State (or a political subdivision) for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount, duration, and scope) without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident.

While section 1623 is simple, clear and fair — it does not go far enough. The law is supposed to guarantee that illegal aliens receive no special privileges. It should deny all educational privileges to illegal aliens. In order to viloate section 1623, many states are simply not asking students for their immigration status.

Those who support such benefits for illegals say that it is the compassionate thing to do. The cost is minimal and it is spread across the entire society so no one is too burdened. Unfortunately they ignore an important side effect of special treatment for illegals. Special treatment for illegals has created a backlash against legal immigrants.

Hypothetically, if one of my children wants to attend the University of Illinois, I should encourage them to say they are in the country illegally — think of all the monney I'll save.