Fema Employment

Do U think illegals should get in-state tuition but citizens of American cannot get it, is this right ?

California's highest court is poised to be the next battleground in the debate over benefits for illegal immigrants as the justices have agreed to hear arguments on the constitutionality of a state law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. The decision could affect hundreds of illegal immigrant students who attend community colleges, Cal State and UC campuses and who say they would not be able to afford a higher education if required to pay out-of-state tuition, which can cost more than triple the amount that residents pay.But the outcome could have a broader effect -- at least nine other states, including Oklahoma, New York and Texas, have similar laws providing the reduced fees to illegal immigrants. Although a court decision would not be legally binding in other states, politicians around the country are looking at California as a litmus test for future legal challenges. The state Supreme Court accepted the case late last month and will probably hear arguments later this year. In a letter urging the high court to take up the case, Utah's Atty. Gen. Mark Shurtleff wrote, "The implications of this decision extend far beyond California, and far beyond a state's ability to set educational policy, into the heart of the national debate about illegal immigration." Martinez vs. Regents of the University of California began with a lawsuit filed in Yolo County in 2005 by out-of-state students and their parents. The lawsuit alleges that education officials are violating federal law by granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants while not offering the same lower fees to students from outside California. "U.S. citizens should have at least the same rights as undocumented immigrants," said one of the plaintiffs, Aaron Dallek, an Illinois native who graduated from UC Berkeley in 2006. Another plaintiff, 2006 UC Davis graduate Onson Luong, said he didn't think it was fair that he, as a native of Nevada, had to pay higher tuition than illegal immigrants. Luong, who majored in biotechnology, worked two jobs during college and owes $15,000 in student loans. "If they are allowing illegals to pay in-state tuition when they aren't even citizens, what kind of message is that sending?" Luong asked. More @ http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immigtuition5-2009jan05,0,3248207.story

Public Comments

1. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Americans should have the same rights as illegals in their own country.
2. No...I'm all for immigration, as long as it's done legally and properly. The way you phrase your question really says all that needs to be said in the use of the word ILLEGAL...
3. That's BS, I am coming back to CA then to go to school. I am not in state but maybe I can get in state tuition because I wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise!!
4. SUPPORT THE DREAM ACT BABY!!!!!!! ps. i love you "am gonna start another riot."
5. It's not right. The only thing we should give them is a road map back to where they came from.
6. NO!
7. It is an outrage that ANY court must analyze this. Its time USA puts Citizens First. Enough rewarding illegals and sending the message it "it pays to be illegal!" The basic problem with today's illegals is: They want to BE in America, NOT BE AMERICANS!
8. Maybe CA is confused and thinks that Mexico took over the state? That would make Mexicans in-state students wouldn't it? Is this that la raza sh!t we've been hearing about? Does my wife get a refund as an out of country student? She came here legally and paid foreign student tuition. Or does it only apply to criminals? What crimes qualify a person to pay in-state tuition? Rape, child molestation, which ones? we could send people to CA and have them commit he crimes and get cheap tuition! There is something rotten in CA and it smells like politicians!
9. Tuition is based on RESIDENCY, not citizenship. If they live in California, and attended California high school, they are a California resident and should get the in-state tuition. I don't get it... conservatives complain that illegal immigrants are going on welfare and draining the money, but then when illegal immigrants go to college so they can get a job and make an honest living, they complain about that too.
10. Of course they shouldn't receive in state tuition. They aren't even supposed to be in the country. Hopefully this will pass in california and other states will follow suit. Why should they receive benefits that American citizen children cannot get.
11. It may be based on residency, but they are still here illegally. Taxpayers supply the money for government loans and taxpayers supply money for education. There are only so many seats and so much money available, why should it go to people here illegally? They can get a good education in their own countries where they pay for it instead of US taxpayers. Being brought over here as a child is no excuse. They knew as they got older they were illegal and at that point they should have done something to become legal or convinced their family to return home.