Illegal immigration is generally considered an issue that is the problem of others. With the recent controversy over Jessica Colotl, a Kennesaw State University student however, many Georgians now understand that it is also an issue they must deal with. Ms. Colotl was involved in a traffic stop and briefly detained for deportation. Subsequently she was given a waiver to finish her degree but during the process it had been discovered that she had been paying in-state tuition. The controversy has stirred local politicians and the University System of Georgia Regents to tackle the subject of illegal immigrants and Georgia universities.
Recently, the Board of Regents approved measures to ensure that illegal immigrants will be allowed to continue attending Georgia public universities but they must pay out-of-state prices. These measures reaffirmed earlier criteria set down by Chancellor Errol Davis and are designed to ensure undocumented students do not receive benefits such as in-state tuition prices if the the student in question lacks proper documentation. Specifically, the first measure prohibits university presidents from using waivers and exceptions for undocumented students. Secondly, universities have 60 days to review a student's documentation status and if a student remains undocumented then he or she cannot receive in-state tuition or other benefits prohibited under a 2006 Georgia law. The law was passed to give regents the ability and responsibility to make sure illegal immigrants do not receive benefits prohibited by federal law. To find the best way of confirming the documentation and citizenship status of new students Regents have set up a Verification Committee consisting of several of its members and a number of university presidents. The committee report will be submitted by October to ensure quick action on it's recommendations.
Another result of the Colotl controversy was that Board of Regents directed the various universities to confirm that out of state students, including undocumented ones, are paying the higher out-of-state tuition prices. Georgia State University reported having 19 undocumented students enrolled in its 2009 classes though several other colleges reported much smaller numbers. All the universities have not finished their audits however, so the complete picture of undocumented students in Georgia public universities is not in.
This policy of allowing illegal immigrants to continue attending school does not sit well with everyone however, even though it is not against federal law. In fact it is up to each individual state to decide if it will allow undocumented aliens into its university system according to a 2008 letter from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, 14 Georgia state senators have recently recommended that the Board of Regents ban illegal immigrants altogether. The Regents seem disinclined to do this however and most states allow undocumented aliens to attend their universities.
Should the Board of Regents continue to follow it's current policy of allowing illegal immigrants to attend Georgia public universities and colleges or should such students be prohibited? What are your thoughts?
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Comments
It seems obvious, that whatever they might say to the contrary, the universities are collecting revenue from the "undocumented" students. In fact, they are now collecting more. this hardly seems the type of act most objected to; "They're getting benefits without paying in to the system!"
Here they pay for, and get something in return. The "free market" in action.
It is the job of the universities to provide education in exchange for money. I don't see how it should matter that the students are "undocumented" or not. If the undocumented student is not supposed to be here, then it is the job of someone else to find, detain, and deport them.
Bill & Alli, thank you both for your comments. I certainly think that it would be different if they were receiving a free ride from the state. In this case however, it is just a matter of how much the student in question is paying. Thank you both for reading!
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