A vigorous debate at Left in Lowell worth reading for those interested in the recently-defeated H 1230 bid to extend in-state tuition rates at public colleges to undocumented immigrants. The measure was defeated 96 to 57 prompting laments from the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition and cheers from both national HumanEventsOnline and local HubPolitics observers. Useful advance coverage from TownOnline here.
Personally, I think U.S. immigration policy should be relaxed to allow more immigration since it promotes economic growth and respects one of our country’s highest ideals: a land of opportunity.
This, however, is a federal rather than a state issue. Immigration reformers should concentrate their efforts on Washington, not Boston. In Massachusetts, the legislature should focus first on improving funding for higher education for legal residents, and then consider proposals to expand elgibility for other groups.
I say, let’s open the borders.
Why can’t the Legislature improve funding for higher education AND allow undocumented students to pay the in-state tuition rate to attend a public college or university? These students are not attending our schools right now, and if the House had been courageous enough to let them PAY into the system, it would’ve been a source of revenue to the public higher ed system. This is why they Board of Higher Education endorsed the bill (against Romney’s veto) and indeed it would’ve been a way to “improve funding for higher education for legal residents.”
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FYI, what most people dont’ realize is that these students would’ve had to pay the in-state tuition out of their own pockets … they can’t get loans (federal or private) and definitely cannot receive financial aid.
What, is our legeslature not capable of dealing with two issues at once? (Please don’t answer that!)
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And you also have it right, they are still not eligible for student loans…so please, anti-immigrant types, stop your fracking whining.
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(I was told I’m liked for my “edge” so I’m going with that.) ;-P
And thanks for the plug, Bob! đŸ™‚
it’s just sad that our state can’t get it together to support these students. talk about supporting our future generations! These are kids that have played by the rules (maybe their parents didn’t), worked hard, and what do they get for it? we tell them to fend for themselves and treat them differently than every other high school student in MA. It’s not right.
Recently, there’s been a lot of concern about Massachusetts’ population loss in recent years. The loss would have been even greater had it not been for the large numbers of immigrants who come to this state. Immigrants will likely be a vital part of the MA economy in years to come, and we should be encouraging them to stay, not putting up roadblocks.
Yes, immigration is a “federal issue”. But, in a sense, so is health care; heck, if the GOP can muster up enough votes, they can pass the FMA and make gay marriage a federal issue. When the federal government is gleefully enacting regressive policies, the best thing progressives can do (aside from electing Democratic majorities in Congress this November) is to work for progressive change at the state level. This tactic can work especially well in a deep blue state like Massachusetts.