Republicans Debate In-State College Tuition for Illegals

Texas Gov. Rick Perry says that critics of providing in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants “don’t have a heart.”

The Google/FoxNews Republican debate last night created some fireworks when Texas Governor Rick Perry reiterated his support for a program that allows illegal immigrants pay in-state tuition when attending college in Texas. He said that it was to the state’s benefit to give illegal immigrant children access to education so that they don’t become a liability later on. He pointed out that his record as being tough on immigration is unassailable and as a governor of a state that has the longest border with Mexico, he takes border security extremely seriously. Yet he felt that the college program is a positive step to improving Texas’s future.

To those who oppose it, he said, “I don’t think you have a heart. We need to be educating these children because they will be a drag on our society.”

Although it seemed like Perry’s handling of the issue was straight-forward, AllahPundit, who analyzed the debate for HotAir.com, agreed with Rick Santorum when he called Perry’s answer “a dodge.” Since in-state tuition amounts to a taxpayer subsidy, Santorum claimed that Perry’s answer meant that he supported spending government money to educate illegal aliens. AllahPundit also accuses Perry of casting aspersions on people who criticize the Texas program, referring to the last debate when Perry explained that he supports the program because “it doesn’t make any difference what the sound of your last name is.”

The surest way to antagonize immigration hawks is to accuse them of nefarious motives yet he seems intent on doing so, again and again. That’s a fine strategy for appealing to Latinos in the general election and poisonous as a strategy for consolidating tea partiers in the primary, especially with Drudge now bannering these comments for the benefit of everyone who didn’t watch tonight. I don’t know what he’s thinking.

According to the Weekly Standard, Santorum wasn’t the only one on the attack. Michele Bachmann, and Newt Gingrich also attacked Perry over his handling of immigration issues. Bachmann said that the in-state tuition program would act like “a magnet” for illegal immigrants with children, and would put bigger burdens on Texas taxpayers.

Comments

Denise C.

September 26, 2011 at 12:40 pm

If they give in-state tuition for illegals, then it should be in-state tuition for all…including foreign students. Given a “feel good” “have a heart” argument, we can make that same plea for any student. Therefore, I should be able to go across the country and have an in state tuition price. If that was the case, borders would have no meaning and students would go to any state for college education. Universities would become more competitive. Would that make tuition go up or down? Would it be viewed as an education where you get what you paid for? Would it be like “Walmart” vs. designer labels in college education, cheaper in price and more generic versus more customized. Regardless, to open the doors to illegals gives one the argument to open all doors and to be denied gives one right to suit due to discrimination.

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Julia Lawrence

September 27, 2011 at 10:59 am

Denise, I think you misunderstood Perry’s policy. To consider children of illegal aliens residents of Texas or not is a very interesting question, but it has no bearing whatsoever on any other examples you brought. Children of illegal aliens do, after all, attend high school in Texas and live there. You, I assume, do not. Nor do the hypothetical foreign students you plead for. Therefore their status and yours isn’t really in question at all, is it? I’m not sure I understand why you would think that allowing those who reside in Texas but might be illegal to pay in-state tuition, would also mean that people in your situation should get the same kind of benefit from Texas. As far as the meaningless of borders….well…I think it’s a tiny bit of a Chicken Little scenario, don’t you?

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- Raquel
  
  February 20, 2012 at 11:53 pm
  
  You explained this very well.
  
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Mary

October 10, 2011 at 7:12 pm

Why should we give illegals help with college, when the children of American citizens have to go into huge debt to get an education. Some have had to drop out because of the current economy, but we should reward those who have broken our laws. This idea is truly absurd. I once thought I’d vote for Perry, but no more.

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dylan

January 6, 2012 at 6:07 pm

Wow just what we need, more people that aren’t supposed to be here sucking the country dry of our hard earned tax dollars and putting us further into debt. I’m going over seas to fight for my country so U.S. citizens can use those benefits not illegals! The working people of America are being taken advantage of by blue falcons like Rick Perry, why don’t you just throw us under the buss some more

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- Christy
  
  February 21, 2012 at 3:19 pm
  
  i agree with you but i dont get how they are able to come over here and get jobs so easily while we natives have a high unemployment rate, and i wonder if they pay taxes since they are working, most that come over depending on if they came from Mexico or Asia and Middle east or even Haiti etc most work as DRs or at gas stations or professor assistants or maintenance and yard work.
  
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Raquel

February 20, 2012 at 11:50 pm

Tax dollars seems to be everyone’s argument in every debate. “Why should my hard earned tax dollars go to someone else!” I think that is the point for any tax. These students will be paying for their education. Tuition includes registration, books, all of the above. So what exactly is tax dollars paying for? Illegal Immigrant students aren’t getting a handout, they are just getting the option to be just as much in debt as you Mary or as any other student. These kids that grew up in the United States wouldn’t have anything else to do after high school. imagine the impact of the economy if there were no college graduates and innovators. So in reality a bill like the one in Texas and many other states are providing education and law abiding individuals as well as helping our economy. So before we get into the “they’re breaking the law let’s ship em out!” attitude let’s examine all arguments!

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Christy

February 21, 2012 at 3:13 pm

We have this as our topic in my English class at SFC. I am more against it than i am for it. Although it is not the child’s fault, they shouldnt get in state tuition because of multiple reasons. First reason being their parents came over here illegally and i feel as if you allow their children that right they will continue to make their way over here illegally. The US constitution states that if you were born in the states than legally you are a citizen here, so we are legally bound to follow our constitution, but i say we need a tighter grip on border patrol and what not, because i want to know how come the illegal immigrants are still here and why there isnt alot more being done about it, its like border patrol is on child’s play. Anyway my other point was it is completely unfair for the families who have up held the law and all the work they have devoted to our country. I wouldnt mind them getting in state tuition if the parents had went through the right procedures.

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- Julia
  
  February 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm
  
  First reason being their parents came over here illegally and i feel as if you allow their children that right they will continue to make their way over here illegally.
  
  America shouldn’t make it a habit to punish children for the sins of their parents. This isn’t the Old Testament.
  
  At the conclusion of your English course at SFC, you should show this comment to your professor. Rules of capitalization, grammar and argument structure are sometimes difficult to master, and I’m sure your teacher would be very proud in your case particularly, when he or she sees how far you’ve come considering where you started.
  
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