Virginia State Legislature To Consider Bill That Would Ban Undocumented Immigrants From College

Virginia's Republican-controlled State Legislature is slated to consider a piece of legislation this session that would prohibit undocumented immigrants from attending public colleges or universities in the commonwealth.

The bill, set to be introduced by GOP Del. Christopher Peace, is just the latest attempt by Virginia Republicans to block undocumented individuals from enrolling in state-funded institutes of higher learning. Earlier versions of the legislation, which also included strict immigration enforcement language, were rejected in previous sessions.

The Associated Press reports on the current state of affairs in Virginia regarding permissions of undocumented immigrants to attend state colleges and universities:

Federal law prohibits such people from paying in-state tuition at colleges and universities, but they can still pursue a public college education. Virginia's public universities currently have the discretion to decide whether to admit illegal aliens as long as they charge out-of-state tuition.

The proposal comes as the state's Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is set to kick off the 2011 legislative session with an address to the legislature Wednesday, in which he expected to renew a commitment to combatting illegal immigration in Virginia.

Comments

[Paul Panola]

12:47 PM on 01/14/2011

For every illegal going to college it will displace an American kid.

There are only a certain number of desks and resources and they are already turning away American kids that don't have 4.0 GPA, etc.

[Andy Cass]

10:34 AM on 01/14/2011

bring the whole world over,why help american citizens

[Tuigim]

11:41 PM on 01/13/2011

Having read many nasty posts here I encourage people to sign the pledge to not use the racist terms "illegals" at
http://colorlines.com/droptheiword/
It's time for a more civilized dialogue with language that does not dehumanize people.
Thank you.

[RightnotLeft]

09:58 AM on 01/20/2011

illegals, illegals, illegals, illegals, illegals, illegals, illegals, illegals

[ronk1957]

02:29 PM on 01/21/2011

I am in total agreement with Tuigim. I am writing this from my jail cell. I was just convicted of three rapes even after I told them that I was an UNDOCUMENTED sex therapist. And to add insult to injury they gave me another 10 year sentence for drug trafficking even though I explained that I was an UNDOCUMENTED pharmacist! I can't wait to get out of prison and come visit Tuigum where UNDOCUMENTED people aren't considered to be illegal. Maybe I'll bring my gangbangers oh sorry I mean UNDOCUMENTED social workers with me. What the hell is UNDOCUMENTED ?

[spytheweb]

08:00 PM on 01/13/2011

"prohibit undocumented immigrants from attending public colleges or universities in the commonwealth."

They should feel lucky that they are not deported, which they should be.

[Andman0121]

08:17 PM on 01/14/2011

Yes, I agree. I don't understand the logic of this: if you are an illegal immigrant you cannot attend colleges but staying in the state is fine? Wouldn't their being found out as illegal automatically lead to deportation anyway?

[RightnotLeft]

09:59 AM on 01/20/2011

California should look to Virginia for common sense decisions. Check this out.

http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/May/Children%20of%20illegal%20aliens%20welfare%20costs%2052810.html

[edisnuts]

12:29 PM on 01/13/2011

Yes they are Illegal,,,,but thanks to the corrosive rhetoric from the left and their goal of blanket amnesty , they produced the horrible legislation that is the Dream Act

Tone it down libs and make the legislation narrow and restrictive and then , yes , get these kids an education

[raleigh1997]

01:27 PM on 01/13/2011

Please read the legislation before posting ignorance!

The DREAM Act is neither backdoor to, nor is it amnesty.

The Act would have provided a path to citizenship for those immigrants who meet a very strict set of requirements. The only eligible individuals would be those who came to the United States at the age of 15 or younger (in other words CHILDREN); have lived continuously in the United States since before 2005; were under the age of 30 on the date of enactment; demonstrate good moral character (i.e. prove they have not committed any crimes that would make them inadmissible to the country as determined by existing immigration law); and have graduated from high school, obtained a GED certificate, served in the military, or have been admitted to an institution of higher education in the United States.

[James Haun]

01:45 PM on 01/13/2011

you are mistaken - it is both a backdoor to citizenship and amnesty for breaking immigration law - get legal and then you can get an education

[Andman0121]

08:20 PM on 01/14/2011

What is wrong with the DREAM Act? It rewards immigrants who have contributed to our nation, follows the laws, pays their taxes and furthers their educations. I mean, they absolutely broke the law being here illegally but we can't just deport the 12 million or so illegal immigrants in this country. Why not do it this way? Weed out the bad ones through deportation and keep the good ones? I think the DREAM Act is very fair.

[spytheweb]

09:42 PM on 01/14/2011

This encourages parent who are standing on the border today who will cross tomorrow with their children.

Who say you can't deport 12 million? If you make life soft and comfortable for them they'll never leave. We need to weed them out and a time will come when it happens, it won't be pretty.

BTW, they are not immigrants, they're aliens and illegal.

[Ohioliberal]

11:42 AM on 01/13/2011

If it is an education you want, then I proposse a one day geography lesson combined with a escorted field trip to the border.

[Captain Ron]

08:55 PM on 01/13/2011

Fanned and Fav'd!

[James Haun]

11:18 AM on 01/13/2011

I don't understand what all the debate is about. These people are illegal aliens, correct? Well then, the only debate should be whether we repatriate them via plane, train or bus - correct? And the children that have been here for a significant part of their lives can discuss their parents poor choice all the way back home.

[pickle541]

11:25 AM on 01/13/2011

Who will pay for that? What will Hilary Clinton say to all the countries we're shipping millions back to? Why would America make other countries solve it's problems?

[James Haun]

11:33 AM on 01/13/2011

I guess we could afford it with the money saved in public schools and heath care for the illegals. HRC could perhaps say nothing - these are citizens of other countries and the other countries can do with them what they wish. We would not be making other countries solve our problems, they just are taking back what is theirs in the first place.

[James Haun]

12:38 PM on 01/13/2011

First, I don't care what Calderon thinks about getting his citizens back. They are his citizens and back they will go. Second, violence will only breed more violence. If the illegals put up a fight, that will probably be their second big mistake. Nothing will galvanize the American people behind a forceful repatriation than a some dead American guardsmen or police. We all saw what happened when one rancher was shot by border ruffians down here in Texas - imagine that happening all over the US...sympathy would dry completely up for the illegals. And they are here illegally, so they are in fact ILLEGALS, not undocumented workers. That type of euphanism just clouds what is a pretty clear issue. There are tens of thousands of immigrants waiting patiently through the legal immigration process and I applaud their effort and tenacity, as well as welcome them into our great melting pot just like Americans before me welcomed my greatgrandparents through Ellis Island. But I have no sympathy for those who shortchange all those legal immigrants by illegally crossing into our country.

[raleigh1997]

01:29 PM on 01/13/2011

You are what is wrong with this country, hate, hate, hate.

I live and pay taxes in VA, and I don't agree with this legislation.

[juslin217]

07:38 PM on 01/14/2011

it is not "hate" to want people to come here legally....that word is being thrown around here too just because someone disagrees with you...

[randyjet]

10:20 AM on 01/13/2011

The Dream Act was simply an attempt at a full amnesty for all illegals who could pass for being under 30 years old. There were NO requirements for documentation before they were granted a TEN year permit to be here, and only AFTER they had completed a two year degree in less than ten years did they have to do so. The provision for when they entered the US had a cutoff age of 15, which basically means that the kids came here as they entered high school. THAT is NOT being piggybacked over the border by their parents and having NO knowledge of their home country. I know of no parent who could carry a 15 year old on their backs to cross the border and for a single mile, much less for many.

The reasl killer is that there is NO documentation required, and most of that can be forged as well at the end of the amnesty period. You have to look at the details in the bill. I see that the proponents do NOT do so, and/or choose to lie about it.

[Viper1st]

11:29 AM on 01/13/2011

The DREAM Act contained no penalties to the beneficiaries who provide fraudulent breeder documents from the countries of origin

Any 30 to 40 year old illegal could obtain a fraudulent birth certificate claiming to be less than 29 years old illegal and be on the pathway to U.S. Citizenship

Fraudulent I.D. documents are an everyday way of life for illegals ~ common practice

[raleigh1997]

01:30 PM on 01/13/2011

Wrong, it would only provide a path to citizenship for those immigrants who meet a very strict set of requirements. The only immigrants who would be eligible would be those who came to the United States at the age of 15 or younger; have lived continuously in the United States since before 2005; were under the age of 30 on the date of enactment; demonstrate good moral character (i.e. prove they have not committed any crimes that would make them inadmissible to the country as determined by existing immigration law); and have graduated from high school, obtained a GED certificate, served in the military, or have been admitted to an institution of higher education in the United States.

[James Haun]

01:43 PM on 01/13/2011

and how exactly would they prove this strict set of requirements?? they don't have much in the way of official documentation, remember...

[Pippen]

10:16 AM on 01/13/2011

Here's some added info to chew on:

".....undocumented immigrants and college. In some states such as California or New York, if you have graduated and attended all 4 years in a state High School, you are eligible for in State-Tuition........"

IN STATE TUITION is much cheaper than OUT of state tuition.

Some states support ANY student if they have the ability to pay.

Nobody knows for sure which colleges will accept an illegal alien and which ones will not because it's a hush hush thing. Registration Admissions have the ability to hide the truth and covertly disguise the enrollments to protect the university from lawsuit or Federal Investigation so they will not publish any FACT based report. They just answer verbally in generalities and usually just quote some existing ancient law that misdirects the inquiry away from their records.

Almost all of California universities allow In-State tuition for known Illegal Immigrants. through AB 540 passed by state law.

Have fun kids

[pickle541]

10:24 AM on 01/13/2011

A public university does have to report on admissions to state regulators. It would not be a good idea for them to cook the books to enroll students illegally and offer them in-state tuition. Any college can offer admission to any student who is paying out of state tuition. Private schools can do the same, as they can set their tuition any way they want. But intentionally breaking federal or state laws for admissions or student loans would be a stupid, stupid move on the part of any college. If they are, they deserve to have the FBI or some other agency all over them.

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

10:56 AM on 01/13/2011

X 97 , Pippen.....Thanks for the thorough analysis. In my community college classes, I teach students whom I suspect are illegal, but it is not my place to question them about their status. I do, however, resent the CA legislature devoting taxpayer dollars to their educational support, even if they have managed to graduate from high school. Just one more reason that CA is burdened with deficit spending.....

[voyager48]

11:42 AM on 01/13/2011

Appreciate the sentiment - but don't kid your self! You like the rest of the country are the biggest part of the problem.

Everyone says the same thing - I know plenty of companies whose policy is not to employ illegal immigrants, yet just about everyone in the place knows there are illegals employed there!

The hiring manager or admissions officers will tell you it is not their place to know what fake documents look like, yet these are the people charged with signing off on the I-9's and admission paperwork to say that the person is legal! Talk about double standards!

All of the laws are already in place, we are just playing dumb and the Fed's are letting us. Worse yet there is a collective DADT mentality being sold to us by the bleeding hearts club who are trying to further their own agenda by fuelling the debate with fear and divisive charges of racism. The fundmantal tenet of their argument is that we cannot trust our collective selves to administer even existing immigration laws in an even handed way - Thanks!

The only way they will break this catch 22 - is to get a national biometric ID system so there is no doubt as to who a person really is. The laws exist - all we have to do is find a way to enforce them effectively! Thereafter we can have a meaningful discussion about changing the laws IF a valid case exists to have migrant

[raleigh1997]

01:42 PM on 01/13/2011

VA had a surplus last year. I don't think that my brother, a Professor at VA Tech, ever wonders about his student's legal status - he's too busy trying to teach.

[xtiangodloki]

10:08 AM on 01/13/2011

This is a difficult topic. Some of my own relatives have waited for years and years to get the greencard and to come into this country legally. So I do not care for giving illegal immigrants any type of benefit whatsoever. After all most of us probably don't enjoy others cutting in line all the time.

However most of the kids of the illegal immigrants in our system are not there by choice. Their parents maybe illegals by choice but the kids who grew up in the US are not. For the few illegal immigrant kids who have shown good potential to be good citizens I think it makes a lot more sense to give them support.

So I think we should try harder to help the kids of illegals who show good promise (those who do well in school and no criminal records) while also tighten up rules to deport the illegals (and their kids) who will be nothing but burdens on our society (those who have already committed multiple crimes in this country).

[dtairtime]

11:56 AM on 01/13/2011

Unfortunat­ely there is NOTHING in any of the dream bills that said these "kids" of up to 30-35 years old in the latest two versions have to show good potential. Earlier version had no age or time limit so they would have gone on forever thus enticing millions more to enter illegally. Many wouldn't even have to serve in the military or go to college at all - there was an open door hardship waiver that basically said if it was hard on you or your family you don't have to serve or go to college. Well I would say that could be almost all of them.

The bills allowed two criminal cinviction­s and unlimited arrests. It allowed them to later on daisy chain in their criminalo parents. It would have allowed about 2+ million (most estimates) to get an instant work permit - as if our unemployed citizens don't already have it hard enough or aren't costing taxpayers in unemployme­nt enough.

If they wanted to write the bill so that it only applied to the cream of the crop (bad pun) it would have passed, but it essentiall­y would have been for anyone who can walk and chew gum at the same time.

[raleigh1997]

01:35 PM on 01/13/2011

The stated that only immigrants who would be eligible would be those who came to the United States at the age of 15 or younger; have lived continuously in the United States since before 2005; were under the age of 30 on the date of enactment; demonstrate good moral character (i.e. prove they have not committed any crimes that would make them inadmissible to the country as determined by existing immigration law); and have graduated from high school, obtained a GED certificate, served in the military, or have been admitted to an institution of higher education in the United States.

KEY HERE IS: Under 15 years of age, meaning at they were brought in as minors and they would have to prove this probably by providing their educational records from schools attended here in the US!

[DCmykl]

10:01 AM on 01/13/2011

Tennessee is about to pass a state law dealing with illegals that makes Arizona's look like a welcome mat.

[Viper1st]

11:47 AM on 01/13/2011

TN is one of 23 states currently considering legislation similar to AZ SB 1070

[FalconFan2 0]

09:23 AM on 01/13/2011

States will and have passed various bills aimed at curtailing the influence of illegal immigration on their state. But the Federal government must step up enforcement of current laws and modify others. Birthright citizenship must be repealed. This law was never meant for how it is used today. An illegal sneaks across the border drops a kid at a local hospital in Texas, or any border state and BAM that kid is an American citizen entitled to certain benefits. The mother then is also entitled to benefits such as welfare, housing. This idea of breaking the law to get into America and have a child for the benefits is crazy. I am not saying hospitals should refuse the woman, but she should be escorted back to her country of origin. And by the way, it is you the tax payer (if you even pay taxes) that paid for her hospital services in the neighborhood of $10,000 - $20,000.

[William Lucas]

09:38 AM on 01/13/2011

I could not agree more, there needs to be a law requiring hospitals to contact immigration officials anytime an illegal shows up at a hospital. Treat the illegal then deport them. We can not and should not continue to support millions of people who sneak into our country to take advantage of American tax payers.

[Rosy]

09:43 AM on 01/13/2011

How do you suggest hospitals determine who is legal and who is not? Demand that every woman in labor produce her own birth certificate?

[randyjet]

09:41 AM on 01/13/2011

Actually most of the women who cross the border to have their kids born here, DO go back across the border. It is cheaper to live in Mexico and cheaper to have the child born in the US. It costs the woman about $200 to deliver in Mexico using their health care system, and FREE in the US. Plus the kid can go to US schools when it comes of age and is a US citizen and can legally work here.

I have lived on the border for years by the way and I know the scams that are run. The women are NOT here illegally either since they have a border crossing card which allows them entry into the US within 25 miles of the border.

[Rosy]

09:44 AM on 01/13/2011

It's free in the US to have a baby? Huh. Who knew. How do I get reimbursed for the $2K per kid that my insurance didn't pay?

[p456]

09:22 AM on 01/13/2011

Is it Virginia or Arizona?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSFIdgLQcbo

[WhatDaBleep]

09:37 AM on 01/13/2011

Its a republican state. That seems to be all that matters in these types of stories anymore and they are crying now because they are being called out for their hatred of anyone who does not agree with them.

[p456]

09:48 AM on 01/13/2011

I would love to say you are wrong about that but I live in Arizona.

[Damaven]

09:16 AM on 01/13/2011

I know everyone is going to come up with something negative about what I'm writing but: if these illegals from anywhere are given rights equal to those legal immigrants that took all the proper steps and waited and studied, etc., what does that say about America. If you don't want to do it the right way we'll give you what you want anyway. I'm also sorry about the children that don't know their parents' native homes, but that's on the parents and those parents should not be given free reign because they had a child here, which, admit it or not, was the ultimate goal - to have a child so they could stay and that child was cared for by U.S. taxpayers. There has got to be some line drawn at some point. Illegals have to go and the children of illegals, if they're old enough to stay on their own, fine; if not, the whole family has to go.

[GravitonX]

09:12 AM on 01/13/2011

The only way to see lasting change will be to wash away the Republicans, demographically.

[FalconFan2 0]

09:17 AM on 01/13/2011

If you were to say divide the U.S. into two States and places all the leftist in one state and all the righties in the other state, within 15 years the state with all the Righties would be in complete control on the entire money supply, be more productive, and have a much higher state of living.

[pickle541]

09:38 AM on 01/13/2011

Why? Curious to know your reasoning.

[Rosy]

09:46 AM on 01/13/2011

Total bull. head down to the South, where they are overwhelmingly republican, and see how they are doing. Much higher poverty rates. And they also take more from the federal government than they pay in through federal taxes.