Deseret News | Lawmakers try again to hike tuition for illegals

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Lawmakers try again to hike tuition for illegals

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Lee | 2:36 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

This is an interesting tactic, trying to find a caucasian illegal from England for this latest story. Illegal is still illegal, regardless of ethnicity or country of origin. Perhaps this writer has spent too much time with the various Hispanic groups who think opposition to illegal immigration is related to race?

It's sad to see a young LDS person begin adulthood in dishonesty. She would be much better off returning to her native England and applying for a student visa to return on legal footing. I've heard that student visas can be granted in as little as 3 months. Imagine the burden that could be lifted from off this young woman, knowing that she is here legally, without fear of being caught and deported.

It seem cruel to me that the state would openly encourage these young illegals who are transitioning from involuntary illegal status to choosing to remain illegals once they reach adulthood.

It also doesn't make sense to take precious tax-dollars and subsidize the education of illegals who cannot work here without breaking the law. I'm not aware of a right-to-work exemption offered to illegals who open their own business.

Anonymous | 6:02 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Wow, why would Elizabeth not want to go back to Great Britin? Isnt thier currency stronger than ours? Alot of young people move away for college, so whats the big fuss.. At least thier she could work, and go to school. By the time she finishes schooling and with the money she saves working in GB she could capitalize on the exchange rate to open a business in the US when she legally immigrates. I just love how the pro illegal immigration media tries to paint a situation like this with dire dispair to turn the tables in thier favor. I dont buy it.

Ronald R. | 6:07 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I do not appreciate the pro-illegale alien, biased slant Deseret News and Deborah Bulkeley consistantly put on immigration issues. The social and economic strain illegal people put on our system is too heavy. They must return to their homelands and come here the right way. If it takes ten years then thats the way it has to be.
My son-in-law is from England. He came here legally and has done quite well without the fear of breaking the law.
My work has been taken over (forcefully) by illegal aliens and I now face an uncertain future because of illegal aliens undercuting the local wage rate.
Enough talk! Time for a call to arms and solve the matter the way George Washington did.

Comments continue below

Dahkta D | 6:41 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Once again the parents fail their children and blame the government. THEY the parents, and their children, entered the US with a non-immigrant visa, knowing full requirements. THEY, the parents flaunted the regulation and law and REMAINED longer than permitted. Fortunate for the parents, their son was able to petition for them. The parents received THEIR greencards (permanent residency) which they should have immediately filed for their children. But they didn't. There are several waivers available for the children while their applications go through the process. It seems the attorney involved lacks any credible knowledge on representing immigration matters. This is a regretable situation that can only be blamed on the parents. And perhaps, this story may bring to the forefront, MEXICO is not the only country where illegals come from!

Paul | 7:52 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

"They are taking away our last chance to have a future of our own"

When government officials wants to be seen as having solutions to all problems, then all problems, even those caused by individuals' actions or inactions, become problems CAUSED by the government that the government has responsibility to solve. To talk about personal responsibility or the law is seen as simply uncompassionate and cruel.

How can you take away something that shouldn't have been there in the first place?

When our elected officials act like disfunctional parents, solving problems that citizens (or in this case not even citizens) brought on themselves, they we get disfunctional children (opps, citizens). I want a government that will protect me from others, not one that will kiss every fall-down booboo.

Mahonri | 7:51 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

She is here illegally. Why should she or any other criminal expect protection and benefits? If the schools find out they have a duty to call campus security or the police and turn her over.
She is a criminal so treat her like one. Deport this chick and prosecute any accomplices at the school for hiding her.

Wake up | 7:58 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Oh and I'm sure with the tuition hike they would just tuck their tales behind them, give up and go back to their home country (that they know nothing about since they lived here just about their entire life). The only thing the higher tuition does is to further eliminate any chance of becoming a productive illegal as apposed to a unproductive one. We complain about all of them, yet its really the Mexicans who commit crimes and raise our medical premiums, who really bother us, right? Come on isn't it? Its not about breaking the law, we all cut corners, please! They are always going to be here, but if they want to make a living and produce instead of take, then lets not take away that opportunity. Breaking the law excuse is just a cover up to our prejudices. Read Grapes of Wrath. Though they were not illegal, but they were treated as such and any opportunity to progress was taken away from them, then all the locals complained about them because they weren't productive.

Another | 8:00 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I have a good friend who came to the US (legally) from Canada and was married to a US citizen and has US citizen children. However, her husband died before she could obtain her citizenship. After he died, she was unable to obtain a green card or social security card for three years. She could be in the US legally, but could not WORK in the US legally. I believe that is the case with Elizabeth. She can BE here legally, but cannot WORK here legally, and going home to England will make that situation worse, not better.

Back to my friend. She remarried about a year ago to another US citizen. This may help her get citizenship quicker, but she is still on a waiting list. In the interim, without a green card, she can't get a social security number. And without a social security number, she can't get a green card. The fact that she doesn't have a social security number has made it impossible for her to be added to her new husband's health insurance.

Chuck | 8:04 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

This is such stupid legislation! It is not the student's fault they are here. They and their parents pay taxes here. This legislation condemns people and their futures, making education harder to get. The students didn't break any law. Why punish them?!!

It is in OUR interest to provide a tuition break for all residents of the state. Education pays dividends, both to the student and our society. Their parents ARE paying taxes that pay for this help for students. Why do we allow ourselves to become polarized into thinking this "defends" our country when it does not!

I'm sorry but. . . . | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

illegal is illegal. I have even less sympathy for illegals from England than I do for those from Latin American (and I don't have any sympathy for them!). The parents of this girl started it all and got rewarded with green cards, which is too bad. They should have been shipped back, bag and baggage, to England. I knew an English couple who got lucky with the Amnesty Bill and a lot of us who were in the meeting when the woman bragged about it were not amused. And that was before the current crop of illegals overwhelmed us.
And why should illegals (of any color) get a tution break? Our children sure don't! Make a dollar too much and they can't even get student loans.

Scooter | 8:36 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Wow, what a difference (hypocritical, that is) between the known illegals here and those that are here doing the paperwork to stay here legally.

For a great example look at this girl (& others), then see the story about the family from India, that runs the hotel business in Green River. They were deported since they were following the rules, leaving behind their boy to run the family business.

If you are here illegally,(no matter what race, color, creed, gender, shape, religion, etc.), don't ask for special favors, don't act like it's the governments fault, don't act shocked when you can't get a job, just get busy on finding a way to comply with the law, become legal & you are welcome here in the melting pot.

AIMHO

Another(2) | 8:38 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I recently met up with a former business school student of mine. She came to the US (Boston) from Iceland in the late 90s on a student visa. While in business school, she married another Icelander who was doing his medical residency in Boston after getting his MD from Johns Hopkins. They went back to Iceland for five years and then she got sponsored by a major US corporate. Her visa allowed her family to get visas as well, so he and their 2 kids retuned to Boston, perfectly legally. He took a few months of to get them and the kids settled and then applied back at the hospital he interne at. When the hospital tried to sponsor his visa, they found out that he was supposed to apply for the visa before leaving Iceland, but that since he had already come to the US under his wife's visa, he is subject to some quota on foreign doctors living (legally) in the US. It will take 5-10 years before he can get permission to work. Apparently there are thousands of foreign doctors on the wait list. They are here legally, want to work but can't get a green card.

Legal | 8:38 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

If you come here legally you should get all of the benefits of a legal resident. But come here illegally and suffer the consequences. That is the way is should be. The law was broken by her parents and they need to fix that so that their daughters will have a chance here. I realize these girls did not have much of a choice but it can all be corrected by doing what it takes to become legal, no matter how difficult that may be. Then they can fulfill their American dream.

really? | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

These children of illegals are not criminals. This girl's parents are paying income taxes. That money pays for public education of which our state colleges are a part of. Therefore, her parents do pay. The immigration laws need to be changed. Legal immigration in this situation is flawed.

It is not right to punish the child for the sins of the father and mother. This child should be eligible for citizenship in a world of fairness. Should the U.S. remain unfair? If these children are not educated, they will not resort to self employment, they will resort to crime to survive. Desperate people do desperate things.

Heartless and Cruel | 8:45 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

What part of she came here at 4 years old don't some of you understand. Just ship her back to England? She should go back willingly? All she knows is Utah, through no fault of her own. To think she can simply pack up and go back to England is ridiculous. Where's she gonna go there? And for the sad soul ready to take up arms and go "George Washington" on the immigrants, simply pathetic. Go get an education so you can offer more to society than the cheap menial labor position you're about to lose to an immigrant.

cagirl | 8:48 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Sounds like a wasted space at SUU if she can't even work legally when she's done. I bet there is another qualified student who could actually use the education who really wanted to go there. Ironic.

re Chuck | 8:52 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Actually, the stupid legislation is the one that makes these kids "illegal" when they and their parents have done everything legal up to this point. How stupid that legally filing for their children's green card can result in 10 years deportation. Illegal is illegal, but if we're going to hold the line on illegal immigration, we need to change some of these stupid laws that make otherwise upright and contributing people "illegal"

Brad G. | 8:54 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

We need to recognize that the legislature is not looking at "raising tuition" for undocumented students. Rather, they want to stop using tax dollars to subsidize the education of people who don't pay taxes. Undocumented workers do not pay income taxes, so why should the state use tax money to subsidize their educations??

Do like Washington? | 8:54 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Oh wait, George Washington was breaking the laws of the land too. He was a leader of an illegal revolution against the laws of the time. Should he have just turned himself in to the nearest British magistrate or whatever and submitted himself to be punished according to the laws then in effect?

Don't even try to use the founding fathers to back up your claims. Their actions were just as rebellious and illegal, if not more so than the majority of these immigrants just trying to make a better life for themselves.

KSue | 8:59 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I get so tired of hearing the complaints from illegals. They are getting their education paid for while I have to pay for legal children. My husband and I pay for two children to go to college with out help from our own government. But our government pays for all these illegals. Where is the justice in that?

To: I'm sorry but... | 9:05 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

No sympathy, huh? Maybe you should try working for 20 dollars a day, in the stifling heat, trying to pay rent and feed your family at the same time. Blame them for trying to succeed in another country, that's real American of you.
While being a white male with US citizenship, I find it incredible how quick we are to shut doors on everyone else that tries to succeed in this country, being from here or not! The future will bring more illegals here, not less. The only thing that we can do is grant amnesty for those that are here, so that they CAN pay taxes. Don't kick out people that are boosting our economy and doing work that you or any other average American would never do (ie. field labor, factory work, ect...).

out of state | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

My husband and I lived in Utah for 15 years, paid taxes and had children there. A few years ago we relocated to another state. Now one of my chilren wants to attend college in Utah. Since we are now out-of-state we get to pay triple the tuition for him. There is nobody crying out for us to lower our tuition despite the fact that we broke no law.

Yet these people, who DID break the law have all these bleeding hearts stepping forward to make the Utah taxpayers pick up the bill.

There should be equal treatment for all. Either charge the same amount for everyone, in state or out, or make ALL the foreigners pay the higher rate, not just the out-of-staters who are honest about their current address.

KSue??? | 9:51 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Did your kids pay in-state tuition? If so then this mythical education "paid for" by the government was extended to your kids as well. C'mon people, can we turn on our brains here? You all seem so excited about the prospect of proving to the world just how much you've turned your brains over to your hate radio heroes. Can we maybe occasionally turn out an original thought? I know it's hard once you turn on the radio, but I promise that thinking for yourself won't hurt too much.

Roberto | 10:09 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Charity is not found in conforting words spoken in Sunday School classes. It is found in helping even the least of all, the sinners, and the hated Sammaritans.
Who are your neighbors? For Utahns, They might be undocumented individuals who are being treated as second class individuals, like a pest. What a shame! As a Mormon, it hurts me to hear my fellow church goers to take this negative stand and to persecute others the way we, LDS people, have been and are currently persecuted. What would Jesus do?
Good feelings at church are not enough to get you eternal life, But action, love, compation, charity.

Fedup with illegals | 10:36 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Illegal is illegal no matter what color you are!
Go home Elizabeth. England is a decent Country.

legalatina | 10:45 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

She's an illegal alien....if she and her family were so concerned about the cost of college-tuition...did it ever occur to them that for example, in Mexico, all the public universities are FREE for MExican nationals and most do not require an entrance exam? In most of Latin America, public colleges/universities are free or at most tuition costs about the same as one year's worth of textbooks at an equivalent college/university in the United States. Students like Elizabeth have every right and opportunity to pursue their higher education at a far more affordable cost including for housing back in their home countries. People like Elizabeth would be most welcomed at these institution. Once she completes her degree back in her home country, and armed with her English skills, she'd have a better chance of obtaining visa to legally re-enter the United States. If not, certainly her skills/education could be put to good use helping her native homeland.

Boss | 10:46 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

What would Jesus Do? That is one of the more stupid expressions. What would I do? I would deport every single illegal no matter where they are from.
When you start making exceptions that is where it gets complicated. Follow the law for everyone and not just some complaining illegals. Non of my relatives nor I ever get a freebie crumb let alone a loaf.
Deport them all.

US Citizen Born Abroad | 10:50 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

When the time comes for me to have that final interview, I can rest assured that I will be able to report that I came to this country legally, as a "US Citizen Born Abroad". Then again, in the long run my immigration status in the US might matter less than my obedience to the commandment of loving "the Lord [m]y God... and the second [which] is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
What do you think?

ItsJustNotFair | 10:55 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Going to college is a privilege, not a right. A poor American citizen from another state wouldn't receive the educational subsidy. Why should the illegal immigrant get one? I don't mind them getting into college, but treating them financially better than a fellow American citizen from another state is wrong. We have the in-state tuition to reward and ensure Utah citizens prosper. Lets be fair to all citizens

whmcdonald | 11:15 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

the taxpayer should not be held financially responsible for the bad (illegal ) choices made by the parents . charity is voluntary and should not be imposed on the taxpayer by law.

Anonymous | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

What has this got to do with LDS? Nothing!!! Leave that alone people!
I have zero compassion, or sympathy for anyone's whining about their tuition of any kind. Legal or illegal. If a college is what you want you work your tail off and get one somehow. Go in debt or take 6 years to do it--life will still be good--really! If you want a good one go to a private school and really stop whining about in-state/out of state off topic garbage.
The comments about the "government taking away" anything from her is so so so wrong! Her parents are responsible for her+situation-period! The reporter who did this piece should be ashamed.
No one is persecuting this girl or her parents!

lvman | 11:23 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

There is something seriously wrong with this story. Her parents came to the US on what kind of visa to start a business? A tourist visa? A work visa? To those of us who understand immigration law, which is not very complicated, this story makes no sense. Why don't you go back and get some facts before you do this story.

RealAmerica | 11:26 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

No one seems to question the backlog of immigration processing caused by our clogged immigration courts and overworked case officers. The impact of illegal alien invaders has a direct impact on the time it takes to process the applications of law-abiding immigrants.

So how insane is it that ALL the Democratic presidential candidates, and most of the Republican candidates support AMNESTY for the illegal alien invaders? If we can't deal with the workload of the couple of million applications now, it is CRAZY to think we can deal with 10 times the number under 'comprehensive immigration reform'.

Robert D | 11:32 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I support this bill in principle, but think it's a misdirected airport. I'm more concerned about crime, uninsured drivers, and other more pressing issues than kids in college. If we're enforcing the law only fitfully, why start with those kids?

curtis | 11:40 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Build a fence and give any illegal who wants to go to college and work hard legal citazinship. These are the kind of people we want in this country. Let the american dream live on.

tenx | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I support all legislation aimed at restricting Illegal Immigration. CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR AND GIVE YOUR SUPPORT ALSO. There are 3.6 billion people who would all like to enter this country if they could. We can't accommodate all of them, unfortunately. We must go by the rule of law in this matter. If the American Tax Paying Citizen from Preston who goes to Logan has to pay out-of-state tuition why allow an Illegal from any foreign country to pay in-state tuition?

Ex_OC | 11:48 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

"College is the one chance we have," she says. "They are taking away our last chance to have a future of our own."

Huh? Last I heard there were colleges in GB too. Why do all illegals think that America is their "last chance"?? There are a gazillion other countries out there and GB happens to one of the best. Please, enough of the SOB stories.

Justme | 11:49 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

The comment has been made several times that the parents pay taxes, so they deserve the benefits from that. However, in most cases, illegals do not pay income tax because they are being paid under the table. Another symptom of a system that doesn't work.

same all | 12:00 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH .. LEGALIZATION is the ANWSER..i'm voting for a CANDIDATE that supports it Let the american dream live on.

Honor Hinkley, not his words. | 12:29 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I guess Utah seems hell bent on honoring Hinkley but not what he said, Keep compassion in mind.

Ali | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Scooter referred to the Sah family of Green River. Actually, they were not legal immigrants. They came on nonimmigrant (student) visas which required them to prove they would return home to India. Their asylum claim was based on the claim that they, part of the Hindu majority, would be persecuted by Muslims for Mr. Sah's activities against Muslims as part of a group which blew up a mosque. While they stretched out the asylum process, they received permits to work here, but that doesn't make them legal permanent residents. They gambled and lost on the asylum claim. By the way, roughly 40 percent of illegal aliens are such because they violated the terms of their visas. Asylum claims are a favorite stalling tactice and most claimants don't even show up for their hearings, but vanish into the US.

Larry | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

The more I search and read
All the laws in Utah are in Violatoion of the constitution
Figure that one out!

Ali | 12:40 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

To I'm sorry but claims that we've "shut the doors" and that our only recourse is to give illegal aliens amnesty so that they can pay taxes. First, we currently admit 1 million legal immigrants each year, plus a few hundred thousand legal guest workers. That's hardly "shutting the door". We have every right to be choosy, because immigrants compete with Americans for jobs, and because we end up subsidizing many immigrants, legal or illegal, but especially the illegal ones who tend to be unskilled and poorly educated. In fact, were they legal, illegal aliens would still be part of the working poor and we'd end up subsidizing them and their many kids even more than we already do.

Wow | 12:43 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I never cease to be amazed at how inhumane people can be for any number of reasons. I'm not an advocate of legalizing any/all immigration, but lets take a minute and realize that immigration is a complex issue. There is very little that is white or black. These are people's lives we're talking about. Some people, for whatever reason, blatantly decided to defy the law and come here illegally, often times at the encouragement of our own government, for many it wasn't so simple. Taking away one's opportunity to become educated at a (somewhat) reasonable rate is rediculous, and will only perpetuate the financial problems related to illegal immigration - both the poverty of the immigrants, and the strain on the rest of the country. Sure, stipulate the privledge based on high school attendance, family members paying taxes, whatever. But don't deny someone access to education simply because of rhetoric, party affiliation, bigotry, or just plain blindness.

tsm | 12:47 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

U.S. citizens COULD do the factory labor/field work if there was enough incentive. How many people are on welfare that COULD do those jobs, but choose to remain on welfare rather than going into the fields or factories?

The Rock | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

It has been truly stated that you are free to choose your actions but not the consequences of those actions. This is a sad situation.

As Americans we believe in the principle of Rule By Law. We are a nation of laws. Our laws mean nothing if we selectively enforce them. Over 80% of those who are in this country illegally could tell similar sad stories. If we listened to every one of them we would never enforce any of our immigration laws and this would destroy our great land.

This whole probems could have been avoided if this girls parents had just obeyed the law. They brought this on themselves.

Ali | 12:54 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Wow--Tell us, are we to hold out the opportunity to get a college education at a (somewhat) reasonable rate to the entire world? Or even just to citizens of the US? Perhaps Utah is willing to provide an education to every person who wants one, at in-state rates? Because giving in-state tution to illegal aliens is essentially saying to every would-be illegal alien that you have only to come here and we will provide a free K-12 education and low-cost college for your kids. Illegal aliens do have access to college educations IF THEY CAN PAY THE SAME FEES THAT out-of-state US citizens would. Why should they get any more of a break than US citizens?
By the way, as someone else pointed out, illegal aliens can't work legally, so why throw good money after bad?

Ex_OC | 1:12 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

To Wow,

Actually immigration is black and white. Either you're legal or you're not. No shades of gray there!

Bobby | 1:23 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I love these politicians. Don't they have friends? Don't they have families? You mean to tell me they are willing to sacrifice the best interests of other American students who have to pay higher out of state tuition than people who have never been given premission to even be here!! That's very generous Mr./Mrs. politician. But I have to ask what American citizen gave you the right to do that. We have some great leaders in this nation.

Patriot | 1:28 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

To all you bleeding heart self righteous people on this post.....please read your Bibles and Book of Mormons. It was God himself you created nations and borders. He recognized these as important. Any God fearing people have a sovereign right to enforce their borders and immigration laws. We as a nation have every right under God to protect our land from invasion to protect our people including our language and culture from the slient invasion of foreign people who neither respected our borders, laws, language or our nation and in many cases our culture. Please don't lecture us with your self-righteousness. Granting the subsidy of a college education let alone the ability to enter our Public University's while in this country illegaly is insane and is a violation of federal law because you are harboring, abetting and appeasing illegal aliens. It is not a sign of compassion to help law breakers obtain the privelage of a college education. Are you kidding me? Even if the children are not at fault for having been brought here you don't reward the behaviour of the parents. This is not called punishing the kids, this is called honoring, sustaining and upholding the law.

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