Yesterday HB 241 the bill repealing instate tuition for undocumented students who attended 3+ years of Utah public school passed the House of Representatives. If you'd like to see how your representative voted check here: http://le.utah.gov/~2008/status/hbillsta/hb0241.002h.txt
The bill was amended to not go into affect until September 2010.
Today in the Salt Lake Tribune Rep. Donnelson, the bill sponsor, is paraphrased as saying "there's no point in undocumented students going to college if they can't legally get jobs and might be forced to forge documents." Source
WHAT?!?! No point?? Here are my questions for you, Rep. Donnelson. If these students do not go to college, what do you think they will be doing? May they be 'forced to forge documents' either way? What if they stay in the U.S. and have children here? Those children will be Americans, would they be better off if their parent's are college educated? Do we want people in our country (here legally & illegally) to understand our language, our laws, our history? When does continuing education ever become pointless?
The issue of illegal immigration must be addressed. But this bill targets those that are doing their best with the situation they are in and is far from the solution. This bill especially is lacking in the compassion that local religious leaders, including Elder Ballard, have been imploring of the Utah Legislature.
Showing posts with label HB 241. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HB 241. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Repealing Instate Tuition for Undocumented Students
Okay, okay, I know that I am probably asking for it with this post, but it has got to be said.
Rep. Donnelson (gdonnelson@utah.gov) is sponsoring a bill this session (HB 241) to repeal instate tuition for undocumented students who attended three years of public high school in Utah. I agree that the states are being forced to act on the issue of illegal immigration. It is something that is in dire need of addressing and the federal government has demonstrated their ability to become paralized at even the mention of the issue. But that being said - this bill is far from addressing the root problems.
HB 241 penalizes kids. If a student attended school for three or more years here in Utah, it was far from their decision to come to the United States illegally. They were minors at the time. If the bill passes, the cost of tuition at a Utah university will more than double for them. What do we really want these 18 - 20 year olds doing? Do we want to raise a consciousness in them? Do we want them to become educated in our language, our government, our history, and learn life skills that will make them upstanding and self-sufficient members of our community? They already find themselves in difficult circumstances. They are dealing daily with the consequences of the choice their parents/guardians made to bring them here illegally. Let's not close one more door for these students. (TribuneOpEd)
Alright....I'm ready....let's hear it....
Rep. Donnelson (gdonnelson@utah.gov) is sponsoring a bill this session (HB 241) to repeal instate tuition for undocumented students who attended three years of public high school in Utah. I agree that the states are being forced to act on the issue of illegal immigration. It is something that is in dire need of addressing and the federal government has demonstrated their ability to become paralized at even the mention of the issue. But that being said - this bill is far from addressing the root problems.
HB 241 penalizes kids. If a student attended school for three or more years here in Utah, it was far from their decision to come to the United States illegally. They were minors at the time. If the bill passes, the cost of tuition at a Utah university will more than double for them. What do we really want these 18 - 20 year olds doing? Do we want to raise a consciousness in them? Do we want them to become educated in our language, our government, our history, and learn life skills that will make them upstanding and self-sufficient members of our community? They already find themselves in difficult circumstances. They are dealing daily with the consequences of the choice their parents/guardians made to bring them here illegally. Let's not close one more door for these students. (TribuneOpEd)
Alright....I'm ready....let's hear it....
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