1000 Illegals get in-state tuition in NYC college.

[Hacp]

Eduardo J. Martí, Queensborough’s president, calls it “an academic Ellis Island,” a place that is open to all, where immigration status means nothing.

He estimated that 1,000 illegal immigrants are probably enrolled at Queensborough at any given time.

Ms. Juca, who came from Ecuador in 2001 and lives with her parents in East Elmhurst, Queens, said she knew of a dozen other students like her in her graduating class, though she said most kept that fact to themselves out of fear, shame or both.

“Kids kept telling me that undocumented people can’t go to college,” she said. But then a guidance counselor at Newtown High School in Queens, where she learned English, told her that the city’s university system did not consider an applicant’s legal status.

Ms. Juca qualified for in-state tuition, which is available in New York and nine other states to illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. But since she did not qualify for financial aid, her entire family, here and in Ecuador, pitched in to help.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/nyregion/05queensborough.html?ref=nyregion


1) Fire that guidance counselor. I'm sure that NYC taxpayers appreciate getting ripped off!
2) Immigration status means nothing? If I remember correctly, if you didn't have a green card and arrived on ellis island, you were shipped right back.
3) Why aren't immigration officers at the graduation ceremony arresting the 1000 illegals? Where is Obama on this? I thought he wanted to protect our borders?

 

[Jaskalas]

Americans obviously didn't need that tuition.

 

[Sinsear]

By posting this thread you are obviously racist.

 

[classy]

I don't have a problem with this at all. All of the anti-illegal stuff portrays them all as criminals or bad people. Well here is an example that some of them are willing to work as hard as anyone else to earn their way. And many people of all races can go to some state type of college for free.

 

[Red Dawn]

I don't have a problem with this at all. All of the anti-illegal stuff portrays them all as criminals or bad people. Well here is an example that some of them are willing to work as hard as anyone else to earn their way. And many people of all races can go to some state type of college for free.

Me neither but for different reasons, I don't live in New York so it's not my taxes going to pay for their tuition. Now if this was MA I'd be all kinds of annoyed:twisted:

 

[Infohawk]

I don't have a problem with this at all. All of the anti-illegal stuff portrays them all as criminals or bad people. Well here is an example that some of them are willing to work as hard as anyone else to earn their way. And many people of all races can go to some state type of college for free.

WTF? How are they "earning" their way? They're getting free taxpayer paid tuition. You know how many European immigrants earned their way? 7 years of indentured service to pay for their transportation over here. Early African-Americans and Asian-Americans had it even worse.

The modern equivalent of earning you way is NOT taking free classes at a community college.

 

[Slew Foot]

I have no problem with reduced or free tuition for recent legal immigrants who want to improve themselves. Illegals can go suck Obamas dick

--------------------------------
Last sentence is unacceptable

Anandtech Moderator
Common Courtesy

 

[LegendKiller]

I don't have a problem with this at all. All of the anti-illegal stuff portrays them all as criminals or bad people. Well here is an example that some of them are willing to work as hard as anyone else to earn their way. And many people of all races can go to some state type of college for free.

I pay a ton of taxes at NYS 6.8% tax rate. Fuck the illegals. I would far rather that money go to a *LEGAL* inner city kid who needs some help than somebody here illegally.

 

[Red Dawn]

I have no problem with reduced or free tuition for recent legal immigrants who want to improve themselves. Illegals can go suck Obamas dick

Why should they get reduced or free tuition just because they're immigrants?

 

[StageLeft]

Taxes in this state are absurd as it is.

 

[cliftonite]

I pay a ton of taxes at NYS 6.8% tax rate. Fuck the illegals. I would far rather that money go to a *LEGAL* inner city kid who needs some help than somebody here illegally.

Agreed. Its not as if there are a 1000 legal kids who couldn't use the aid.

 

[Modelworks]

I don't have a problem with this at all. All of the anti-illegal stuff portrays them all as criminals or bad people.

Then you probably are not paying for it. They ALL are criminals if they are here illegally. Laws have to be applied equally. You don't get to decide which you want to follow.

 

[charrison]

I don't have a problem with this at all. All of the anti-illegal stuff portrays them all as criminals or bad people. Well here is an example that some of them are willing to work as hard as anyone else to earn their way. And many people of all races can go to some state type of college for free.

So if illegals get in-state tuition rates, why cant legal citizens from the other 49 get in state tuition rates?

And no I dont think illegals are criminals, but I do think our law quite encourage illegal immigration rather than legal immigration.

 

[Perknose]

There's a larger question of the flood of illegals all over our country that, until it is systematically addressed, WILL leave us without overall fairness and the basic rule of law.

In the meantime, in the real world, the State of New York and nine other American states, in their infinite wisdom , have decided to allow some illegals, subject to narrowly defined qualifications, access to their lower, in-state tuition rate.

Some "misunderstandings" here need correcting, though.

Right from the OP's article quote:

Ms. Juca qualified for in-state tuition, which is available in New York and nine other states to illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. But since she did not qualify for financial aid, her entire family, here and in Ecuador, pitched in to help.

Her family obviously couldn't qualify for financial aid ONLY because it reported TOO MUCH LEGAL TAXABLE INCOME. Since her family has a documented history of paying the exact same taxes as any other NY resident, their daughter DID NOT get her lesser tuition rate FOR FREE or on anyone other taxpayer's dime.

Again, the whole larger question of allowing so many illegal residents in our midst is a larger and stinking kettle of fish which we NEED to address, and fundamentally fix.

It makes a mockery of the rule of law.

But this one case is not as many of you initially viewed it. In this one case, no NY taxpayer (which ironically includes this girl's illegal immigrant parents) is getting ripped off!

Applicable SUNY regs.

Guide to Resident Tuition Policy

[...]

Eligibility Basics

At SUNY’s State-operated campuses (University Centers, University Colleges, and Technology Colleges), students are generally considered New York State residents if they have established their domicile in New York State for at least twelve months prior to the last day of the registration period of a particular term.

1. Generally, individuals who have maintained their domicile in New York for a period of fewer than twelve months prior to the end of registration are presumed to be out-of-state residents and are not eligible for the resident tuition rate.
2. Individuals who are financially dependent and whose custodial parent(s) lives in a state other than New York are generally not eligible for the resident tuition rate. However, students of divorced or legally separated parents may acquire a New York State domicile if the custodial parent is a New York State resident or if the student resides with a non-custodial parent who is a New York State resident and the student intends to continue to reside with that parent throughout their attendance at SUNY.
3. Individuals do not meet the twelve-month residency requirement if domiciled in New York State primarily to attend college.

[...]

Exceptions to the Domicile Rule:

[...]

Immigrant, Non-immigrant and Undocumented Students

1. Students claiming to be immigrants must present proof of their status by providing the campus with a valid Permanent Resident Card. Once a student's immigrant status has been verified, the student may then establish New York State residency by meeting the domicile criteria. See Proof of Domicile (above).
2. Non-immigrants are grouped in categories depending on the type of visa presented at the port of entry. Non-immigrants admitted to the United States in categories that prohibit them from establishing a United States residence are not eligible for resident tuition.
3. In general, the Federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act prohibits students who are unable to present valid documentation of their alien status from eligibility for the resident tuition rate.
4. Undocumented students who attend for at least two years and graduate from a New York high school may be eligible for resident tuition. See the campus Student Accounts Office (Bursar) for details.

 

[GoPackGo]

So if illegals get in-state tuition rates, why cant legal citizens from the other 49 get in state tuition rates?

And no I dont think illegals are criminals, but I do think our law quite encourage illegal immigration rather than legal immigration.

What makes you think that illegals aren't criminals?

 

[IGBT]

that's a failure indicator and fraudulent use of tax revenue.

 

[MJinZ]

Why should they get reduced or free tuition just because they're immigrants?

Agreed. I have a huge problem with this.

My parents earned their way, but being fucking smart as hell and earning Student Visas and Working Visas that millions of applicants compete over.

Then they own houses and pay property taxes.

The illegal immigrants earned their way by jumping across a fucking fence. Whatever happened to the concept of trespassing? Don't people still shoot trespassers?

 

[MJinZ]

There's a larger question of the flood of illegals all over our country that, until it is systematically addressed, WILL leave us without overall fairness and the basic rule of law.

In the meantime, in the real world, the State of New York and nine other American states, in their infinite wisdom , have decided to allow some illegals, subject to narrowly defined qualifications, access to their lower, in-state tuition rate.

Some "misunderstandings" here need correcting, though.

Right from the OP's article quote:

Her family obviously couldn't qualify for financial aid ONLY because it reported TOO MUCH LEGAL TAXABLE INCOME. Since her family has a documented history of paying the exact same taxes as any other NY resident, their daughter DID NOT get her lesser tuition rate FOR FREE or on anyone other taxpayer's dime.

Again, the whole larger question of allowing so many illegal residents in our midst is a larger and stinking kettle of fish which we NEED to address, and fundamentally fix.

It makes a mockery of the rule of law.

But this one case is not as many of you initially viewed it. In this one case, no NY taxpayer (which ironically includes this girl's illegal immigrant parents) is getting ripped off!

Applicable SUNY regs.

Here is the federal stance on the issue:

http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml

Now, I have to disagree about her family not qualifying for financial aid:

1) They did not qualify for federal financial aid because it is not available to any illegal, period.

2) The only way this family pays just as much as others in taxes is if they live in an average median income area with average/median rental rates AND work in an income taxable occupation.

Since rent basically is a subsidy for property taxes, and property taxes make up a large portion of a state budget, I would highly contest that they paid just as much into the system because:

A) They probably live in cheaper places with super low rent and overcrowded - thus they pay lower than the average share of property taxes.
B) They have a much higher chance of taking home cash income only
C) They probably don't even file a tax return
D) They probably don't consume or buy enough items to contribute the average/median amount to sales tax revenue


All that said, not only are illegals making a complete joke of US border and immigration law, they end up contributing far less to the system than they are taking out.

 

[MJinZ]

So if illegals get in-state tuition rates, why cant legal citizens from the other 49 get in state tuition rates?

And no I dont think illegals are criminals, but I do think our law quite encourage illegal immigration rather than legal immigration.

You can, if you fucking LIVE and contribute in that State.

 

[peonyu]

Agreed. I have a huge problem with this.

My parents earned their way, but being fucking smart as hell and earning Student Visas and Working Visas that millions of applicants compete over.

Then they own houses and pay property taxes.

The illegal immigrants earned their way by jumping across a fucking fence. Whatever happened to the concept of trespassing? Don't people still shoot trespassers?

Border hopping is hard, and living in a foreign country is hard on them to. Especially when that foreign country pays for thier college, thier hospital bills, schooling for thier children. And oh, free housing/food if they really need it. We sure do make it hard on those illegals, so hard that they deserve getting a decent education for free over american citizens.

Oh and were also a racist country, since some states *might* enforce immigration laws that have been on the books for 100 years.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Then you probably are not paying for it. They ALL are criminals if they are here illegally. Laws have to be applied equally. You don't get to decide which you want to follow.

What country you living in? Law applied equally to all is a dream . and it has never ever happened. Try putting one of the worlds elite on trail for their criminal activities see were it goes.

 

[Perknose]

I have no problem with reduced or free tuition for recent legal immigrants who want to improve themselves. Illegals can go suck Obamas dick

Why should they get reduced or free tuition just because they're immigrants?

Agreed. I have a huge problem with this.

Do0d, follow the illogic trail, you are having a huge problem with a compounded fantasy misuderstanding.

That's just sad. :awe:

 

[MJinZ]

Border hopping is hard, and living in a foreign country is hard on them to. Especially when that foreign country pays for thier college, thier hospital bills, schooling for thier children. And oh, free housing/food if they really need it. We sure do make it hard on those illegals, so hard that they deserve getting a decent education for free over american citizens.

Oh and were also a racist country, since some states *might* enforce immigration laws that have been on the books for 100 years.

Hah, there is no argument that Americans are all racist. That's pretty much irrelevant since every other race that has to deal with it.

PS. I subscribe to a broad definition of racist. And I believe every human being is racist to some extent, even if you don't view a race negatively. For instance, if you are more intimidated by a Black dude coming into your store - you're racist. If you think Asians are automatically smart - you're racist.

 

[MJinZ]

What country you living in? Law applied equally to all is a dream . and it has never ever happened. Try putting one of the worlds elite on trail for their criminal activities see were it goes.

In theory, he is correct. In practice, Laws apply selectively, and those with power and especially money, are able to utilize the law in ways to benefit them.

 

[Perknose]

Here is the federal stance on the issue:

http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml

Now, I have to disagree about her family not qualifying for financial aid:

1) They did not qualify for federal financial aid because it is not available to any illegal, period.

Good point, thanks. Helps fill in the whole truth of the picture.

Nevertheless, big boatload of assumptions below, NONE of which even if believed in their totality mean that they don't pay their fair share of taxes, only that, being illegal, this cuts them off (as it should, imho), from federal financial assistance.

2) The only way this family pays just as much as others in taxes is if they live in an average median income area with average/median rental rates AND work in an income taxable occupation.

Since rent basically is a subsidy for property taxes, and property taxes make up a large portion of a state budget, I would highly contest that they paid just as much into the system because:

A) They probably live in cheaper places with super low rent and overcrowded - thus they pay lower than the average share of property taxes.
B) They have a much higher chance of taking home cash income only
C) They probably don't even file a tax return
D) They probably don't consume or buy enough items to contribute the average/median amount to sales tax revenue

All that said, not only are illegals making a complete joke of US border and immigration law, they end up contributing far less to the system than they are taking out.

I agree with you here. Drying up their job possibilities by getting real about employer enforcement sanctions (one of the Arizona laws I wholly support!) would go a long way to stemming the flow.

As long as they can readily find work, they will continue to come illegally, risking their broke-assed lives to do so.