Blog #6 Immigrant Tuition in Texas: Perry's Way

The New York Times:
THE TEXAS TRIBUNE
On Immigrant Tuition, Texans See It Perry’s Way
By ROSS RAMSEY
Published: October 1, 2011
October 7, 2011
10:53am

Summary

Rick Perry, Texas’s 47th Republican governor, tuition troubles stem from the major difference between politics in Texas and politics everywhere else. His constant support for in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants has started a political tornado. Herman Cain, 2011 presidential candidate said he would vote Mitt Romney for this very reason. In Texas, there was almost no controversy between the parties when the law passed in 2011 until the “twister” (the law) came into effect. John Sharp, Texas A&M University chancellor and Perry’s buddy, facilitated a conversation in a large event blaming the government and turning it into an education and economic development issue. Mr. Sharp explains that the large immigrant population in Texas would devastate the economy by 2040 without higher education. Will Hartnett, Republican representative of Dallas, will not seek 12th term in Texas House. In 2001, Hartnett was the only House member who voted against the tuition bill, providing in-state college tuition for undocumented youth. People in Texas seemed to be swayed by Sharp’s reasoning and do not care.

Analysis
I have mixed feelings about this situation. I do not believe it is fair to save undocumented immigrants money by allowing them to pay in-state tuition. Most likely, they are not paying the necessary taxes so why should they be saved a couple hundred to thousands of dollars more. How could an out-of-state citizen of the United States have to pay more than an undocumented immigrant just doesn’t seem fair to me. I believe sharp needs to provide more information about how; the fact that the undocumented immigrants do not have higher education would devastate Texas. On the other hand, I am for educational equality. This is great for the undocumented immigrants, a chance to further their education at a lower cost. However, the topic needs more conversation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/us/on-immigrant-tuition-texans-see-it-perrys-way.html?ref=education