College Rule Reminds Undocumented Students to Seek Status
Just in case undocumented students receiving in-state tuition at Texas public colleges and universities forget that they pledged to apply for permanent residency status as soon as possible, a new rule approved today by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires their institutions to send them annual reminders.
The Texas policy that has allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition was a bur under Gov. Rick Perry’s saddle on the campaign trail during his failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
To qualify for in-state tuition rates — instead of international rates that would apply to foreign nationals — undocumented students ...
Comments (6)
audrey fisher
Out of a total of almost 1.4 million Texas students who paid in-state tuition rates in 2010, about 16,500 students signed affidavits pledging to apply for permanent residence status.
"Ultimately, we have little reason to doubt that affadavit students will comply with state requirements if the federal government provides a pathway to legal residency," said Chavez.
That sounds like a mighty big gamble on an "IF".
Would the University System have to release that information to the STATE? Some overly zealous politician who was trying to make a name for themselves and with close ties to University Chancelor's could rig the system an then go on a headhunt. I'm not saying that Rick Perry and his band of merry legislator's would ever do such a thing...but!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick Timmons via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A burr, I think you mean. And you can't feel one through a saddle. Maybe you mean saddle blanket?
Bert Chadwick
Fine, students should apply for a permanent visa. Is the government going to issue visas? If so, based on what provision?
Somebody in the THEC is hallucinating, probably. They are true ignorant on the issue. They have no idea. Those undocumented students would have done that LONG time ago if they only knew they would get a visa. Students who have already graduated and have a degree cannot apply for a visa because the government has nothing to offer them, even they have become professionals. Educated people who could begin being productive. It is a shame that we find graduated economists, chemical engineers, nurses, pharmacists, and many others who are working as bus boys, waitresses, waiters, dishwashers, cooks and the like because they do not have legal status. It is a shame that after their education cost thousands and thousands of taxpayers’ money, the country has those kids relegated to be in jobs where they do not belong to. Nothing wrong with being a cook, a waiter or any of that, because every single job is important and need it, but those kids attended school for a reason.
Please, do not use the same ignorant, dumb excuse: “they should go back to their countries and get a visa” because it does not work that way, and it is not that simple. To say otherwise is totally absurd and shows that people who talk like that do not any idea of the immigration process and norms.
People at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board should study the immigration law and inform, and document themselves.
raffaele cafagna
By executive order Obama has granted all kinds of little amnesties. He's even set up a 24/7 free hot line for illegals (that would be free to them - we pay for it). If arrested all they need to do is call the hotline - translation services provided - and an expert will look into their case and advise them of their rights!
I wonder what number I call if I get arrested for refusing a TSA pat down?
Daniel Kowalski
Thank you, Reeve Hamilton, and Tribune editors, for dropping the "I" word. http://www.texastribune.org/immigration-in-texas/immigration/guest-column-call-them-unauthorized-immigrants/
David Spratt
Bert,,,You know what the shame is?The shame is that the TAXPAYERS have paid one dime for Illegal Aliens to attend school in the first place , at any level. What is a shame is that when found out they are not deported according to the law. What is a shame is that they have no regard for the law and expect all the same rights and privileges real Americans have, just because they are here.. What is a shame is that they are working at any job no matter what it is , while millions of Americans do not have any job at all. The shame is that some people want to claim that since they have been here X amount of years and evaded detection , that all should be forgiven and we should just overlook their transgressions. No they should not be given a pass, and they should have to follow the rules. So what it is not easy to become a Citizen,, it should not be. There are no acceptable reasons, excuses or justifications for openly ignoring or breaking any law or regulation no matter what it is.