Immigrant Students Under Fire a Third Time

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) For a third time this legislative session, a bill to prevent undocumented students from paying in-state tuition rates is headed for debate in the Utah House. Twice the House has defeated the measure by narrow margins. The repeal is now part of a larger measure approved today by a House committee prohibiting illegal aliens from other state benefits like unemployment, subsidized housing and Medicaid.

"Utah has become known as very friendly to illegal immigrants," says Representative Chris Herrod, the bill's sponsor. "I think this will stop that and send the message we are serious about the rule of law."

The bill's success frustrated a roomful of opponents who were not given the chance to voice their concerns.

"What's really reprehensible is that this just keeps coming back, almost as a nightmare to our children," says U of U professor Teresa Martinez. "As far as I'm concerned, they're students in my classes and we owe them everything that we can give them."

If the measure gets to the House floor, Herrod believes it will pass because of new analysis that shows Utah will not lose any money from undocumented students withdrawing from state universities.

Federal law already requires proof of legal status to receive most benefits, but Herrod's bill takes that a step further with in-state tuition rates. But some worry it may also result in undocumented residents not receiving emergency food and medical care, which federal law also requires. The measure now awaits debate by the full House.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW