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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                            Matt Dulin                             Tony Hernandez 
                Jim Parsons             Dusti Rhodes           Blake Whitaker

Kansas lawsuit threatens immigrant education

Almost four years ago, Texas became the first state to make in-state college tuition rates and financial aid available to immigrant children, regardless of their legal status. However, the Austin American-Statesman reported that a recent lawsuit filed in Kansas threatens the availability of those privileges.

The lawsuit was filed in July by the Federation for American Immigration Reform on behalf of about two dozen out-of-state students and their parents. The suit may have an impact on the Texas law, as it and the Kansas statute are similar: Both require students to live in-state for three years before graduating from high school and to declare an intention to seek resident status as soon as they're eligible.

The lawsuit contends that providing such assistance violated a 1996 federal law preventing states from giving pubic benefits to illegal immigrants. Since Gov. Rick Perry signed the bill into law, nearly 4,800 Texas students have used it to their advantage.

The issue of immigration is a complex one, but there seems to be little doubt that the negative aspects of illegal immigration -- most notably, the drain on society's resources -- don't necessarily apply to immigrant students. College is subsidized by various levels of government because it pays off in the form of productive, educated and responsible members of society. If the children of an illegal immigrant, who likely didn't make the decision to move to America illegally, wants an education, they shouldn't be denied the privileges that other state residents enjoy. Immigrants receiving higher education is a worthy cause, even if some out-of-staters find it unfair.

The law itself is fairly strict in its requirements. In addition, immigrant advocate groups have claimed that state-determined in-state tuition policies apply to all students, whether here legally or not.

College is expensive enough as it is. If immigrant children wish to better themselves with an education in the state they've lived in for years, they shouldn't be forced to pay out-of-state prices.