Monday, September 19, 2016

In-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. Yes or No? 
           As the fact that America is the most developed country; it creates a trend of immigration to the States to seek for jobs, educations and better living standards. Up to now, immigration issues are still at the points that have been discussed over and over. Talking about how immigrants try to look for educational opportunities; school tuition is one thing that need to be addressed. Specifically, since 2001, Texas had offered in-state tuition opportunity for undocumented immigrants as long as the immigrants have been Texas residents for at least three years and graduated from high school or received GED, but this program will be reconsidered to be maintained or eliminated next year when lawmakers reconvene.
            An article from Texas Tribune reported that Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is trying to target on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants again in order to get more benefits for citizens first. He spoke about the skyrocket of college tuition and indicates a variety of changes “including gutting a requirement that all four-year colleges set aside 20 percent of the tuition payments they receive to help needy students afford college”. The original analysis of Campbell’s bill provides that the cost to support this program had grown 68 percent since 2012, so this program may cause a rising cost for taxpayers as this rate continues. According to the analysis, in-state benefits for undocumented immigrants take more slots at four-year universities from U.S citizens. One more important thing is that this would encourage more people to come to the state illegally.
           On the other perspective of the program supporters, undocumented immigrants can take lots of advantages out of this program; less tuition cost makes people less in debt after graduation. The supporters defend that the immigration status has nothing to do with the admissions process, so it is pointless to say that this benefit give undocumented immigrants a higher rate to be accepted in four-years colleges and steal spots from U.S citizens. As both sides conflict, there is a need to reconsider these benefits to make both sides satisfied with the consequences.
           Personally, this article is worth reading because this is about educational issues both physically and financially; furthermore, education is an investment for our futures.



            

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