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Debate over tuition for illegal immigrants heating up
Published: April 21, 2007
BOSTON - The state has more to gain than to lose by allowing the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state colleges, a new study says.
The study, approved by the state Board of Higher Education this week, comes as the Legislature girds for another debate of the controversial subject early this summer.
Based on information from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the report said making it less expensive for children of illegal immigrants to attend state colleges would actually add $2.5 million to the state economy.
It estimated that 400 to 600 students would be affected by the change.
Supporters of the change - who include Rep. John Keenan, D-Salem - say there's also value beyond money in extending educational opportunities.
"In my family, my parents did not go to college, and my siblings and I did. I understand the value of education," Keenan said. "Everyone should have an opportunity to do well."
On average, a student charged the out-of-state fee pays $30,000 more than an in-state student over a four-year period, the report said. By charging the in-state tuition rate, college would be made more affordable to children of illegal immigrants who might forgo higher education, supporters contend.
But the report did not change the minds of some lawmakers.
"In the current financial situation we are in, we should not spend a single dollar to help something that's illegal," said Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill. "Last year we defeated a similar proposal by a huge margin, and I'm still not willing to move in that direction."
A bill allowing children of illegal immigrants to receive the in-state tuition rate at state schools was defeated in the Legislature last year. Two similar bills were filed this year. Gov. Deval Patrick supports giving children of illegal immigrants the in-state rate.
The new House version would require students to seek citizenship or permanent residency status. The new Senate bill would not. Both bills bar public financial aid to undocumented immigrants.
Ten states, including California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and New York, have similar laws allowing in-state tuition.
Students paying in-state tuition at North Shore Community College would save $6,970 a year, the study said. The difference is similar at Northern Essex Community College and at Salem State College.
The study, approved by the state Board of Higher Education this week, comes as the Legislature girds for another debate of the controversial subject early this summer.
Based on information from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the report said making it less expensive for children of illegal immigrants to attend state colleges would actually add $2.5 million to the state economy.
It estimated that 400 to 600 students would be affected by the change.
Supporters of the change - who include Rep. John Keenan, D-Salem - say there's also value beyond money in extending educational opportunities.
"In my family, my parents did not go to college, and my siblings and I did. I understand the value of education," Keenan said. "Everyone should have an opportunity to do well."
On average, a student charged the out-of-state fee pays $30,000 more than an in-state student over a four-year period, the report said. By charging the in-state tuition rate, college would be made more affordable to children of illegal immigrants who might forgo higher education, supporters contend.
But the report did not change the minds of some lawmakers.
"In the current financial situation we are in, we should not spend a single dollar to help something that's illegal," said Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill. "Last year we defeated a similar proposal by a huge margin, and I'm still not willing to move in that direction."
A bill allowing children of illegal immigrants to receive the in-state tuition rate at state schools was defeated in the Legislature last year. Two similar bills were filed this year. Gov. Deval Patrick supports giving children of illegal immigrants the in-state rate.
The new House version would require students to seek citizenship or permanent residency status. The new Senate bill would not. Both bills bar public financial aid to undocumented immigrants.
Ten states, including California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and New York, have similar laws allowing in-state tuition.
Students paying in-state tuition at North Shore Community College would save $6,970 a year, the study said. The difference is similar at Northern Essex Community College and at Salem State College.
Critics of in-state rates contend that children of illegal immigrants would take positions at schools that could be filled by children of citizens.
Rep. Bradley Jones, R-North Reading, is concerned that additional illegal immigrants would crowd out legal citizens from other states who want to attend Massachusetts schools.
"There is nothing absolute that says that U.S. citizens who could have gotten in won't be affected," he said. "I read that UMass accepted only 60 percent of the applicants last year. Should we be increasing the applicant pool?"
But Aaron Spencer, chairman of the Board of Higher Education, said there actually is a surplus of spaces.
"There are excess seats in many colleges, and illegal immigrants should be given an opportunity to fill these," Spencer said.
Spencer also said that allowing students to pay lower tuition would help create a well-educated work force that would help attract businesses to Massachusetts.
