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DEFEAT OFFERING IN-STATE TUITION TO UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS

Posted by eddiev on January 26th, 2010

As the Tennessee General Assembly debates education as a whole, it should be noted that offering in-state tuition is an unfair, unjust and incredulous smack in the face to the thousands of Tennessee college students who are American citizens and who are facing dropping out of college because of the tough economic times and the expense of rising college costs.

Furthermore, the Assembly and Governor debate on the viability of transfer credits from a community college to a four-year Tennessee university for these same students so that their degree attainment is quicker and without delay.

To me, it is an illegitimate and illogical balance of the scales to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students when so many American students are plagued with an uncertain collegiate future. Our federal and state governments have a duty to our American youth for their success and future.

Governor Bredesen fights to increase graduation rates. These same Tennessee high school students who are encouraged to continue to college are competing not only for seats in the college or university classrooms, but are surely susceptible to see increases in college tuition when the college’s operating funds are lowered when in-state tuition is offered to undocumented aliens. Why should an American college student’s collegiate future be in jeopardy because an undocumented alien receives the same education at the same lower college tuition rate?

http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/governor/viewArticleContent.do?id=1445&page=0

Governor Bredesen fights to revamp higher education by introducing the Tennessee Education Innovation Plan. The Volunteer State lags the nation in completion of bachelor’s degrees, ranked 40th, and associate degrees, ranked 45th. On average, only 46 percent of full-time students at four-year schools graduate within six years, and only 12 percent of full-time community college students attain associated degrees within three years.

http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/governor/viewArticleContent.do?id=1449&page=0

Urge your Tennessee elected official to establish a 12-month durational period for residency requirements and to ensure undocumented aliens are not given in-state tuition prices. This is not an argument as to whether an undocumented alien should be entitled to receive a college education for a better future. The benefit, opportunities and lower costs for American college students shouldn’t be compromised or diminished by giving undocumented aliens the lower tuition rate. Before the position is thrown out there, children of undocumented aliens should have no standing to make a definitive argument that they are now U.S. born and therefore should be entitled to the same tuition rates as bona fide American college students. When the parents entered the U.S. illegally, those parents needed to fully understand the risks, the possibility that they would be caught and they were breaking the law.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/

New Jersey Abandons In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens
Marking a victory for true immigration reformers, New Jersey lawmakers last week abandoned legislation that would grant in-state tuition to illegal aliens. (The Star-Ledger, January 12, 2010). The bill had been lingering in the New Jersey state legislature for eight years, and amnesty advocates were frantic to pass it before Governor-elect Christie, who opposes the measure, takes office this month. These advocates engaged in a frantic, but unsuccessful, push to get the New Jersey Assembly and Senate to vote on the bill last week. (FAIR’s Legislative Update, January 11, 2010).

The bill’s sponsor, however, admitted defeat by removing the legislation from the agenda because it lacked the votes necessary for passage. (The Star-Ledger, January 12, 2010). Last Monday was the final day the New Jersey legislature could have passed the bill in time for outgoing Governor Corzine to sign it.

In the end, New Jersey lawmakers were unwilling to grant benefits to illegal aliens during a time of economic uncertainty. New Jersey Assemblyman Samuel Thompson stated, “You can call it undocumented. You can call it whatever you want. But you are not legal, and you are not entitled.” (CNN, January 12, 2010). Although supporters are determined to reintroduce the bill, Christie has vowed to oppose any legislation giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens. (Philadelphia Inquirer, January 11, 2010).

Source:
http://www.fairus.org/site/News2/1929724780?page=NewsArticle&id=22199&security=1601&news_iv_ctrl=1012#2

State Residency Requirements
State residency is the key factor used to judge eligibility for in-state tuition. Residency requirements vary significantly from state to state. The College Board’s Guide to State Residency Requirements will give you specific information on the requirements for each state. Typical requirements for residency determination include:

A durational residency requirement (usually 12 months). Tennessee is the only state that has no durational requirement.

The intent to maintain domicile or be a permanent resident of the state for the foreseeable future. Because your college of choice usually has the authority to determine whether you qualify, and under penalties of perjury you should be ready to provide proof of residency and intent to remain a resident. Examples may include:

Car or voter registration
Income tax returns with an in-state residential address
Records of attending secondary school in the state
State driver’s license
Home ownership or leasing a residence in the state
Local bank account
Records of full-time employment in the state
Local civic group or club involvement

Non-U.S. Citizens
Typically, if you are a non-U.S. citizen, you are only eligible for in-state tuition if you are a lawful permanent resident or have been granted a visa in an eligible category. (This varies from state to state.) Of course, you must still meet the state residency requirements, such as durational residency and intent to maintain domicile legally.

This information is intended to give an overview of the policies involved in qualifying for in-state tuition. All questions about a specific circumstance or practices of a particular school should be directed to that institution.

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