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Efforts to repeal immigrant-tuition law hit speed bump

Here we go. An attempt by Republicans to punish the vicitms and to keep immigrants in their sanctioned place in the shadows while making their bosses money.

The kids they are talking about here are victims, brought here by parents who broke the law. The kids have done what they were asked to do.

These kids do not know how to live in Mexico or any other country, they were raised here and have prospered in school enough to get accepted into college on academic merit.

It appears the Republican lawmakers pushing this bill want to keep these kids in the shadows so that they can be the cheap labor they were intended to be when the current administration decided to stop enforcing immigration laws.

Where is the compassion for victims?

Why were illegal aliens allowed to pay tuition that is reserved for residents in the first place?

what part of undocumented don't you understand...why don't you just give them all the rights of my children..you know the ones I qualified and payed for legally...someone's always got their own agenda. Just have Mexico pay for their books at least, and their health care if you dare as they seem to be calling the shots!

Why punish kids who want to go to college and make something of themselves? This bill will be a net loser since people with college degrees make more money, and will pay back their education bill through taxes.

If Utahn's are of a mind to subsidize the children of illegal aliens by granting them "in-state tuition", they must realize they are incentivizing criminal behavior. They can pussy-foot around the issue all the want, but the fact is they are encouraging countless others to immigrate to Utah so they can avail themselves of Utah's largesse.

It's true we're a nation of immigrants but our ancestors did it legally, not by demanding citizenship and expressing contempt for the rule of law because of some perceived inherent "right". Many Latinos consider this is "their" land and that we are usurpers. Granting "in-state tuition", driver's licenses, welfare, free medical care, food stamps and other benefits to these characters rewards their contempt and promotes their perception we are weak and, in a Darwinian way, deserve to be overthrown.

If the Legislature wants to feed into this dimentia, have at it. They'll reap the just rewards of their spineless behavior.

These illegal alien Mexican and other foreign naationals are not in the country by invitation or approval of any government and they have no authority or rights to interfer with the system of government in the United States. This coalition of illegals wanting a better life in America better become americans first. They deserve no benfits or assistance from the american tax paying citizens. They deffinetly do not deserve or belong in our education system that specifically requires citizenship or legal entry in to this country. Pass this law and many more like it and discourage these illegals from being in this country. Pampering and aiding them will only add to the burden of the american people and the american people rights to have and hope for the better way of life these illegals are stealing from them. These illegals thrive on lies, deception, theft, and deciet and it has gone on long enough. Time for our representatives to stand up to these illegals and tell them to get lost and forget the american dream. The dream of victimizing and defruading the american people of billions of dollars a year must end, this is a start.

Lawmakers doing what they do best. Backroom delays and doubledealing. Just do what the vast majority of legal Utahns want and pass the law to protect us.

It isn't right that these children are penalized for the sins of their parents. These students some of them don't even know they are undocumented until they are about 15 years old and find they can't work because they don't have a social security number. The ones who are in college, have high aspirations and having them here will benefit our community and our country.

I know this argument is getting old, but our founding fathers were violating the "law of the land" which was British law at the time they declared independence. Mexico did have immigration requirements in the 19th century. Before they allowed Texans to move there there had to be an agreement made that those coming in to Texas would agree to be subject to Mexican law. Mormon pioneers did not get permission before moving into this valley, which was Mexico at the time. Yet we honor both of these groups of people by celebrating the 4th and 24th of July. Given that we honor these people, for their very acts of violating the law, we can show compassion to the children of people who are here without documentation.

Why don�t we pass laws patterned after the laws Mexico uses with their immigrants from Central and South America? They don�t give "visitors" anything free or at a discount.

Isn't in-state tuition there to give a break to people who have paid taxes into the system? Why would people who haven't paid taxes get a "tax" break? Let's get the emotion out of this debate and rely on common sense and common cents.

yay for Huntsman! This law should stay in place. These poor kids need every chance they can get.

It's the same pattern as inside the Beltway. The people want something done about illegal aliens and the politicians want to perpetuate the problem. The problem with state legislatures is that you have to go back and live in your communities. All you ag-biz people and labor unions better get out your checkbooks now and show your support. If you don't the pols just might think about the wishes of the people they represent. The problem with giving in to special interests is that the Internet has given voters LOOOOOONG memories and you could look like you are representing illegals rather than voters. That wouldn't look so good.

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Federal law: Title 8, Chapter 14, Subchapter II, Paragraph 1623

"Limitation on eligibility for preferential treatment of aliens not lawfully present on basis of residence for higher education benefits
(a) In general
Notwithstanding 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."

The above federal code is the basis for the argument against instate tution rates to criminal illegal aliens - while charging out-of-state citizens over $39 million a year in non-resident fees.

Read it carefully, especially the line that clearly states: ...unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit....

Then ask your state legislator how they can vote against this bill!

I do not understand why an ILLEGAL immigrant should be granted in state tuition? why should they pay less than a student from Arizona or California who is a LEGAL citizen? Why should they even be allowed to attend our colleges and universities without obtaining legal status? the cost of tuition does not cover the cost of their education. I am a legal citizen of the United States, and if my daughter wants to attends a state school in Washington or California, the tuition is double for her. Thus, she attends a Utah university. why should illegal immigrants get the advantage of in state tuition over my daughter who is a citizen? I applaud the state legislators who are attempting to add some sanity to this.

in Ted Kennedys land mark immigration legislation it states "anyone who entices or aids someone in coming to the United States illegally or staying in the United States in guilty of aa crime" Fedaeral Law preempts. Toss the aiuder in federal jail!

that thread should be cut... If they are illegal, they have no rights. If we know who they are, they should be sent back. An illegal alien with a college education is still an illegal alien that cannot legally work in the U.S.

Dear Legislature,

Thank you for doing the right thing for law abiding Utah citizens. Please pass all of these laws and turn off the magnet that is drawing illegal immigrants to Utah.

stop paying taxes like i am, and trying to get all the
other people to do the same

They all need to go back to there own country's and stop displacing American kids from these colleges,they are over whelming our hospital's and school's and prison's and need to leave!!!!!

I can't believe how heartless some of you people are. These are human beings, and they deserve the respect of being treated as such. These kids were either born here or brought over as small children or infants, and have lived their entire lives in the United States. Why should they be punished and prevented from having any sort of a future because of the crimes of their parents? And you know what? Their parents risked their lives, and their family's lives, sometimes more than once, to come to a better place, and to make a better life for their chilren. I don't agree with their coming over illegally either, but I do have compassion for them. These kids are already facing enormous challenges to make something of themselves, why take away one of their only chances because of something they had no choice in doing in the first place? These are children of God, and they deserve compassion, not judgement and ostricism.