Lawmaker wants in-state tuition for kids of illegal immigrants

[Rink]

Lawmaker wants in-state tuition for kids of illegal immigrants

By ANDREA FANTA
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — State representative Juan Zapata's appeal to his colleagues Monday about charging children of illegal immigrants in-state tuition for a college education had a personal tone.

Zapata, a Republican lawmaker from Miami, was born in Peru and raised in Columbia. His family moved to the U.S. when he was a child and earned American citizenship. Zapata later finished a bachelor's degree at Florida International University and, four years ago, entered state politics.

But some immigrant children aren't as lucky as he was, Zapata said. So he wants to give children of illegal immigrants a chance at success by charging them in-state tuition.

"This really is a bill about access and about kids who have done nothing wrong being able to earn a college education," Zapata said. "These are very bright students, some of them are at the top of their class."

This is the fourth time Zapata will try to pass the measure. Under this year's bill (HB 119), undocumented students who study at a Florida high school for three years and graduate could pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. At least nine other states have passed similar legislation.

"These have pretty much been raised here. They shouldn't be penalized for decisions their parents made...why should we force them to be valet parkers or other menial workers?" Zapata said. "Those kids who work that much harder, why should we shut the door on them when they finish high school — and to a certain degree, to our detriment?"

The concept has run into opposition nationally and locally, where opponents say the measure rewards parents for breaking the law and takes enrollment spots from other immigrant and American-born students who are here legally.


More on this Story (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/gen/ap/FL_XGR_Immigrants_Tuition.html)

[Rhino]

I never got in-state rates, and I'm not a valet parker or menial worker. His premise that such would be their only choice is bullcrap.

[Beowulf]

I just love how immigrants, illegals especially, are given many expensive things for nothing. Education, housing and training, all things we Americans work hard and pay dearly for. :flame:

I understand that many aren't as fortunate as others but it seems that hard work is becoming a thing of the past and that "poor me" has taken over. Besides, we have enough government programs to help people to help themselves if they would take the time to do some research.

[Rink]

I just love how immigrants, illegals especially, are given many expensive things for nothing. Education, housing and training, all things we Americans work hard and pay dearly for. :flame:

I understand that many aren't as fortunate as others but it seems that hard work is becoming a thing of the past and that "poor me" has taken over. Besides, we have enough government programs to help people to help themselves if they would take the time to do some research.

Beo have ya noticed that when these illegals are 'given' everything they want its never appreciated, as you can see they're showing their lack of appreciation by running all over the place screaming, shouting trashing the U.S. Flag and marching..... 'Gimme! Gimme, Gimme, Gimme MORE! Gimme More!! It isnt enough!!! We demand MORE!!!! You Gringos dont give us enough of what WE Deserve!!!!!' crap.

Nothing is for free, and nobody deserves to be 'given' anything, gifts are something supposedly given 'freely' but what these people are trying to do is hold this nation hostage and forcing Americans to give them their wealth, their jobs and their lands over to those who never earned or deserve it whatsoever by hook or crook.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/flaming.gif SEVERAL things about this article jump out and slap me in the face . . .

First of all, Flori-duh??? Why oh why does this stuff have to keep coming out of Flori-duh of all places??? Sheesh, :uhh: .


"Zapata, a Republican lawmaker from Miami,"


Republican my derrière! Sounds like a RINO to me, because no self-respecting Republican (which by definition is a Conservative) would put forth such an expenditure aimed at benefitting those who break the law!


"But some immigrant children aren't as lucky as he was, Zapata said. So he wants to give children of illegal immigrants a chance at success by charging them in-state tuition."


So he was lucky, eh? Were HIS parents ILLEGALS? Did they break the law and he still slipped through (I'd call that luck), or did his parents play by the rules, work hard to provide him an opportunity, and then him work hard to make the most of that opportunity? (I would NOT call that luck.)

If the children of illegal immigrants have no chance, it's because their PARENTS eliminated their chance by breaking the law.


"This really is a bill about access and about kids who have done nothing wrong being able to earn a college education," Zapata said."


They may not have done anything wrong, but their parents did. The ones they should blame for affecting their "chance" is their parents, NOT the Florida state government or taxpayers! And just what message is being sent those children?? It's okay to break the law, and we will even reward you by providing a perk for higher education for yur children?? How is this actually bettering them?


"This is the fourth time Zapata will try to pass the measure."


Knock, knock, knock! Can you get the message ... it's not passing, get over it wouldja!


"At least nine other states have passed similar legislation."


A little consolation, I guess ... at least the last three times someone tried to pass this in Flori-duh, some common sense prevailed, unlike those OTHER nine states.


"These have pretty much been raised here. They shouldn't be penalized for decisions their parents made...why should we force them to be valet parkers or other menial workers?" Zapata said."


"We" are forcing them to be valet parkers or other meinal workers??? "We" didn't bring them to this country ILLEGALLY, keep them here ILLEGALLY, and force them to be raised here ILLEGALLY, now did "we"?? Try putting the blame where the blame REALLY belongs ... the parents.


"The concept has run into opposition nationally and locally, where opponents say the measure rewards parents for breaking the law and takes enrollment spots from other immigrant and American-born students who are here legally."


Well, duh!

[BuckeyeMike]

I'm just surprised he didn't go for the "free college education" bit myself!

[arandomguy]

I work my tail off to pay for college. It's part of life. Learning how to manage finances, good work ethic, and the independence and sense of value you gain by working hard to put yourself through college.

I wasn't handed anything on a silver platter. I wasn't given anything by anybody. I was raised by my parents to value good work ethic, honor, morality, and independence. It wasn't always easy for them or me, but we got through it, and I'm a better person for it.

Additionally, both my parents had to struggle to get through college. My parents both come from poor families, who could not afford college tuition. So they took boatloads of student loans, and worked many hours a week in multiple jobs to pay for tuition, and this was 30 years ago. But they did it, and they have said countless times that it made them better people, which is why they tried to instill that sense of value in me.

I fail to see why people who's parents did none of this, and have circumvented our laws should get special treatment when neither I nor my parents got any. Why can't these illegals work their tails off to pay for college? Why should I (and all other taxpayers) have to pay for their education when they, by avoiding the income tax, did not help pay for mine?

[Riverboat]

I work my tail off to pay for college.You too? I squeezed a four year degree into five-and-a-half. I got a sheepskin and a box full of employee tags to show for my troubles. Oh, and a job that pays way better than stocking housewares, appliance parts or fine china (Target, Sears, Joske's), or humping concrete (Brown & Root), running a cash register (7-11), waiting on tables (Pizza Hut). . .

If I left anything out, it's because it was so long ago. But it didn't stop there. I also delivered a LOT of pizza (Domino's), sold bingo sheets and called numbers (local church), and worked inventory (Hancock Fabrics) just to make ends meet after we began having children.

My wife is currently working at a national retail store to help pay for tuition to enable the last of our three to get a real education at a Catholic school.

Oh, and I have two words for our bleeding-heart Republican in that state that acts as a breakwater for the rest of the Gulf Coast. . . . But I'd better not say them. I don't wanna make the Warlady or HomeSchooler mad at me.

[Kathy29]

Sooooo. I hate to be a fly in the pie but where are they going to work? If law enforcement is cracking down on hiring illegals, where are these college grads going to work. Or, is in state tuition just a step to allowing illegals to work here, after all since we educated them and all.

[Beowulf]

I work my tail off to pay for college. It's part of life. Learning how to manage finances, good work ethic, and the independence and sense of value you gain by working hard to put yourself through college.

I wasn't handed anything on a silver platter. I wasn't given anything by anybody. I was raised by my parents to value good work ethic, honor, morality, and independence. It wasn't always easy for them or me, but we got through it, and I'm a better person for it.

Additionally, both my parents had to struggle to get through college. My parents both come from poor families, who could not afford college tuition. So they took boatloads of student loans, and worked many hours a week in multiple jobs to pay for tuition, and this was 30 years ago. But they did it, and they have said countless times that it made them better people, which is why they tried to instill that sense of value in me.

I fail to see why people who's parents did none of this, and have circumvented our laws should get special treatment when neither I nor my parents got any. Why can't these illegals work their tails off to pay for college? Why should I (and all other taxpayers) have to pay for their education when they, by avoiding the income tax, did not help pay for mine?

My point exactly, Random. Nice to hear someone else say it.

[BuckeyeMike]

Sooooo. I hate to be a fly in the pie but where are they going to work? If law enforcement is cracking down on hiring illegals, where are these college grads going to work. Or, is in state tuition just a step to allowing illegals to work here, after all since we educated them and all.


The way things are going in the USA of the 21st Bush Century....the US Government will hire them....you know....for the jobs WE won't do.....Or...
...........OORRRRRR...they will run for public offices AALLLLLL over the NEW Amerika!

[Gonzo67]

Well, I am NOT in favor of flooding our country with "Legal Illegals", but you do have to admit, an "Illegal" in a public office cant be any worse than an Arnold Schwartzhoweverthehellyouspellit as a Governor. :uhh:

Gonz

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Well, I am NOT in favor of flooding our country with "Legal Illegals", but you do have to admit, an "Illegal" in a public office cant be any worse than an Arnold Schwartzhoweverthehellyouspellit as a Governor. :uhh:

Gonz

Wrong, I'll admit nothing of the sort, it would be worse. Mr Schwarzenegger immigrated here legally. He followed proper channels, and he was legally elected by the citizens in his state -- whether we agree with it or not. It is specifically people like Mr. Schwarzenegger who SHOULD be upset by the pandering to illegals. All the trouble they went through to do things by the book, on the up-and-up, legally and here our government just wants to HAND things to lawbreakers simply because they are already "here."

[Gonzo67]

Wrong, I'll admit nothing of the sort, it would be worse. Mr Schwarzenegger immigrated here legally. He followed proper channels, and he was legally elected by the citizens in his state -- whether we agree with it or not. It is specifically people like Mr. Schwarzenegger who SHOULD be upset by the pandering to illegals. All the trouble they went through to do things by the book, on the up-and-up, legally and here our government just wants to HAND things to lawbreakers simply because they are already "here."

hahaha, My appologies yet again Home... That was a subtle (though apparently dismally unsuccessful) attempt at sarcastic humor. I do not honestly believe an Illegal would do ok in a Public office.

Though I do not share your support (forgive me if I am in error, I ASSUME your support) of "Little Arnold" (I refuse to even ATTEMPT to spell his last name). Not because he's not American born. I object to his being in office because he's a flat out hypocritical Hollywood butt-monkey.

Here we have a Governer who wants to loby against violence in the movies. Has he ever seen one of his own movies? Even in his COMEDY "Kindergarden Kop" he's blowing someone away. Inside AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL no less! He's made his fortune off violence in the movies, and now that he's decided to bolster his fortune as a politician, "violence in movies is wrong".

Myself, I believe that actors becomming politicians is akin to professional sports stars or William Shatner thinking they can sing. I meen, lets not forget David Hasslehoff! Please, dear god, on all that is Holy, William Shatner and David Hasslehoff singing... lets stop the madness before it consums us all.

Gonz

[Kathy29]

His name is Zapata. Is anyone suprised that once a raza gets in public office they only support la raza?

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

hahaha, My appologies yet again Home... That was a subtle (though apparently dismally unsuccessful) attempt at sarcastic humor.

Well, yet again, apology accepted, :thumb: . Perhaps my read-o-meter is a bit off on the sarcasm spectrum, I might need to make an adjustment, :smirky: .

I do not honestly believe an Illegal would do ok in a Public office.

Agreed.

Though I do not share your support (forgive me if I am in error, I ASSUME your support) of "Little Arnold" (I refuse to even ATTEMPT to spell his last name).

Nope, no support whatsoever -- I believe him to be a RINO in all his glory. I wasn't attempting to rush to his defense, only pointing out that he legally immigrated and was legally elected by the citizens of his state (boy-am-I-glad-that-my-loony-bin-is-Flori-duh-not-Mexifornia!).

Not because he's not American born. I object to his being in office because he's a flat out hypocritical Hollywood butt-monkey.

Ditto. I might not have used the same terminology :smirky: , but the spirit of the feeling seems the same, LOL.

Here we have a Governer who wants to loby against violence in the movies. Has he ever seen one of his own movies? Even in his COMEDY "Kindergarden Kop" he's blowing someone away. Inside AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL no less! He's made his fortune off violence in the movies, and now that he's decided to bolster his fortune as a politician, "violence in movies is wrong".

As I said, a RINO-extraordinaire.

Myself, I believe that actors becomming politicians is akin to professional sports stars or William Shatner thinking they can sing.

Actually, I like is singing attempts, LOL. He is an amusing fellow, and most definitely an entertainer. Although, I'm probably a bit biased, what with me being a devoted Trekkie and all, :smirky: .

I meen, lets not forget David Hasslehoff! Please, dear god, on all that is Holy, William Shatner and David Hasslehoff singing... lets stop the madness before it consums us all. Gonz

Yes, David Hasselhoff the world could do without, :grin: .

BTW, no offense intended, but if you wouldn't mind holding off on the religious aspersions, at least when responding to me, I would consider it a kindness and greatly appreciate it -- thanks bunches.

Blessings,
Hms

[uncommon1]

Scerw that son of a bitch. If he wants to pay in state tuition to illegals, he should pay it himself. The sorry bastard! Doesn't anyone think that those illegals are stealing the places of some poor underprivileged black person who deserves that slot in school? The nerve of them. Racist illegals denying the poor black man a place in college. I'm appalled!