www.csua.org/u/s0a -> news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101115/ap_on_re_us/us_illegal_immigrant_tuition
While the ruling applies only to California, the case was closely watched nationally because nine other states, including New York and Texas, have similar laws. Republican congressmen Lamar S Smith of Texas and Steve King of Iowa filed a so-called friends of the court brief urging that illegal immigrants be denied the reduced rate. The lawsuit considered by the court was part of a broader legal assault led by immigration legal scholar Kris Kobach, who has filed numerous cases across the country seeking to restrict the rights of illegal immigrants. He represented a group of US students who filed the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the California law. Kobach did not return a phone call seeking comment about the ruling in California. A unanimous state Supreme Court, led by politically conservative Justice Ming Chin, said the California provision was constitutional because US residents also had access to the reduced rates. The California Legislature passed the controversial measure in 2001 that allowed any student, regardless of immigration status, who attended a California high school for at least three years and graduated to qualify for in-state tuition at the state's colleges and universities. In-state tuition saves each state college student about $11,000 a year and each University of California student about $23,000 a year. A state appellate court ruled in 2008 the law was unconstitutional after a group of out-of-state students who are US citizens filed a lawsuit. The suit alleged the measure violated federal prohibitions barring illegal immigrants from receiving post-secondary benefits not available to US citizens based on state residency. However, the state Supreme Court noted the California law says nothing about state residency, a distinction that foes of the plan said shouldn't matter. The Sacramento-based Pacific Legal Foundation, which supports numerous political efforts, said the spirit of federal law was to deny tuition breaks to illegal immigrants. Foundation attorney Ralph Kasarda, who submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, said California was not in sync with the federal mandate against showing favoritism to illegal immigrants. "California's policy is also atrocious financial stewardship," he said. The state law also requires illegal immigrants who apply for the in-state tuition to swear they will attempt to become US citizens. The applicants are still barred from receiving federal financial aid. "Through their hard work and perseverance, these students have earned the opportunity to attend UC," said University of California president Mark G Yudof. "Their accomplishments should not be disregarded or their futures jeopardized." Kobach also failed to invalidate a similar law in Kansas. The law professor was the chief drafter of Arizona's tough new laws against illegal immigrants, which is pending before a federal appeals court. He was elected earlier this month to serve as secretary of state in Kansas. Democratic leaders in Washington, DC, are mulling whether to try to pass immigration reform measures before they lose control of the House of Representatives in January. White House spokesman Luis Miranda said the administration welcomes any opportunity for Congress to take up the proposal. The legislation "is important to both our national security and our economy," Miranda said. Lincoln Diaz-Balart is seeking a vote on proposed legislation giving states the option to allow illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition. "Allowing undocumented students to attend primary and secondary schools but requiring that they pay out-of-state tuition for college creates an unfair financial burden," Diaz-Balart said.
Let's see, a legal citizen isn't elegible for in-state tuition but an ILLEGAL is, doesnt't anyone see something wrong here? Obamas ILLEGAL aunt here & getting housing, cash,food stamps, utilities, why is this being allowed?
Report Abuse The only solution that is fair is that if they want to be a US citizen then they must sign a 30 yr. mortgage on a foreclosed home at sub prime interest rates.
Report Abuse "The state law also requires illegal immigrants who apply for the in-state tuition to swear they will attempt to become US citizens. The applicants are still barred from receiving federal financial aid." If they came here illegally, do you state legislators truly believe they will tell the truth when swearing to "try" to become US citizens?
this is just the first brick in the road to a comphrensive reform package that will once again shaft every american taxpayer, just look at the dream act. Better read it and call your senators before it to is crammed down our throats by Obama, reid and pelosi while they still have control.
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