Governor Patrick’s decision this week to allow certain illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state universities is an important step toward resolving ambiguities in the federal immigration rules. The state now makes clear that young undocumented immigrants who have been granted reprieves from deportation by the federal government can utilize their newly acquired work permits as proof of state residency.
The change is more than a technical clarification. The United States has succeeded as a nation of immigrants because it has, more often than not, made assimilation and integration a part of the American experience. Giving immigrants access to an affordable education, one that will help them become successful members of society, is an important part of that story.
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Those who advocate for providing benefits to illegal immigrants have done a masterful job of extending the moral cover of the American immigrant story to those who willingly ignore and broke the law. And in the process have also painted anyone who voices objections to illegal immigrant benefits as anti-immigrant; this editorial is an examle of how it's done. The major issue is that our immigration process is broken and needs updating. While far from perfect, our country's social fabric is based upon the rule of law. It seems difficult to reconcile how someone's first act of assimilation and integration comes by breaking the law. On a day like today we will hear how the Pilgrims didn't have papers. Or Columbus was illegal too. These are weak red herrings. Those who trot out these exmples are really saying modern society and national interests should take a back seat to free flowing human migration. Interesting theory for the classroom, but not one under which modern society and global order operates.
The children didn't break the law! Most were born here in the USA! Would you punish the children for the "sins" of their parents? Most immigrants come to the USA for a better life. They risked life and limb to get here and work hard to feed their families. "Perfect charity casteth out fear." (John 4:18) Happy Holiday
this country allows 1 million or more immigrants into this country each year legally....what other country is doing this...we have not stopped immigration legally...years ago and still is the law you needed a sponsor, job, housing and not go on welfare for 10 years...now Pres. Obama wants the welfare part gone.....otherwise...come all and go on our welfare system and especially when we have 23 million unemployed, 47 million on food stamps and 6.8 million on SSI and will add 33 million to medicaid under Obamacare....just print money, cause inflation and become Greece..that is where we are heading, but then buying votes is the democratic way.
THis is very wrong. IT will only encourage more and more illegal immigration and specifically to MA. No fault of their o wn is nonsense, the parents will keep coming here for free health care and public schooling, welfare and working under the table for cast, driving down wages. I pay out of state tuition for my 2 daughters, and i pay 28% income taxes to support the give aways you advocate for. If illegals were taking newspaper jobs and editor jobs at lower wages and no benefits, then there would be an outcry for reform and stopping this nonsense. No country on this planet can survive without enforcing thier borders or stop spending more than they have or take in for taxes...the end is coming very soon
It may seem like a better idea if the MBTA wasn't going broke and Deval wasn't doing his annual search for more ways to tax us...how can he justify this lavish expenditure while reaching his hands deeper into the pockets of legal residents right before he knows Obama is preparing to do the same. let's add the requirement of proof that the parents paid income taxes in the state during the residency requirement and see how many still qualify...
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Education of any will benefit all.
In the spirit of the holiday, I will save my comments for a later date.
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So if you live in NH or RI and work in MA and pay state taxes your children will have to pay outside tuition if your children want to go to MA state schools...Also if you live in MA and want to go to a state school minority illegal immigrants can be put ahead of you....as affirmative action??? Other words, don't go the legal way of becoming a citizen and wait many years...just cross the border or over stay visa's and you are rewarded...remember Pres., Obama now wants them to have drivers licenses, social security and EBT cards...welcome to america and the stupid taxpayers will support you for freebies that were promised by Pres. Obama & Gov. Deval.
Somehow this argument was summers the outcome of having to pay out of state tuition dooms a person to some horrible future. I am a UMass Boston alum, and after moving to RI my daughter was accepted to UMass Amherst. I was actuallymworkingmin Fall River, yet we, a single,mother and her daughter, did not receive a waver for in state tuition. Daughter graduated in '03, paid her loans in 05, and bought her first home in '06. How in the world,does the child of a law breaker deserve a better deal from the state than those of us who
The child of the "lawbreaker" did not break the law so why should their education be held back. You moved out of state and became disqualified for in-state tuition. The child of the "lawbreaker" attended taxpayer funded public schools in Massachusetts (and no one complained) and is now continuing his/her education in a taxpayer funded public school at the college level. The "lawbreaker's" child has resided in Massachusetts most of their life, has a permit to work in Massachusetts and is now entitled to further their education in Massachusetts. The state will reap the benefits with a return of investment when this child of "lawbreakers" increases their earning power eponentially and pays state income taxes in addition to other taxes. The tuition break will be paid for 10,000 times over that persons lifetime.