Bill Progresses Favoring Financial Aid for Illegal Immigrants' Education
by Jim Brown
September 7, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A California lawmaker is chiding his colleagues in the State Assembly for choosing to reward illegal immigrant students with taxpayer dollars.On a party-line vote, the California Assembly has approved a Senate bill that would allow students who came to the United States illegally to apply for state financial aid when they attend California colleges and universities. The legislation builds upon an existing California law allowing illegal alien students to qualify for lower, in-state tuition rates if they meet certain criteria -- among them signing an affidavit stating they have applied to become legal residents or will do so if they become eligible for financial aid.
But SB 160, sponsored by Democratic Senator Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles, would create just another enticement for more illegal border crossing in the Golden State, say critical Republicans in the Assembly. And the Republican Caucus in the State Assembly says the legislation "devalues [the] sacrifices of hard-working, legal immigrants." George Plescia, the Republican leader in the Assembly, says the privilege of state loans and financial aid for college should be extended only to those who have "played by the rules" to achieve legal status in America and in California.
Republican Assemblyman Jay La Suer of La Mesa, who voted against SB 160, contends the state Democratic Party has made rewarding illegal aliens one of their signature issues. The measure, he says, would further damage the state's economy.
"They broke [into] our country. They didn't follow the right path," says La Suer. "I don't care who you are or where you're from; if you come here and you immigrate according to the law, I have no problem with it. But right now we can't even get our own students in colleges because they're so crowded."
In addition, says the lawmaker, the illegal alien population is costing the state between $30 and $35 million a year. He is convinced that Democrats in the California Legislature are clearly out of touch with the majority of California voters on the issue.
"[Supporters of SB 160 have] talked about letting these people realize the American dream," La Suer shares. "Well, I'd like to see some people who are in America legally realize the American dream of getting a college education and all."
La Suer cites a case in point. "You know, when we have people who are members of the armed forces, and they have to pay out-of-state tuition if they're not from California, yet we'll let an illegal alien go to college basically free, I think there's something wrong," he says.
The legislation now goes to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk for his signature. La Suer warns if the governor signs the measure, a large number of California voters will "walk away from him" at the polls in November.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
