Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education has endorsed a legislative bill that would allow children of illegal immigrants to attend college and pay in-state tuition. The Daily believes that this is an issue that should be closely examined.
The resolution supported House Bill 1559 and Senate Bill 596. This legislation would provide in-state tuition for non-qualified immigrants who have attended Oklahoma high schools for at least two years and have also graduated. The legislation would also allow non-documented students to qualify for financial aid.
If approved, this legislation will have intended and unattended effects.
In-state tuition will be provided to hard working students, some of whom may have lived in Oklahoma almost all of their life. Oklahoma has a significant amount of un-documented Hispanic students in high school. Students are considered undocumented if they or their parents do not hold resident status. Current legislation does not provide in-state tuition for undocumented students. This resolution would change current laws so that if an undocumented student has attended secondary school for two or more years in Oklahoma, then they can receive in-state tuition. Passing this legislation would give some students an opportunity they might not otherwise have.
There may also be unintended effects. The bill will affect Oklahomans applying for financial aid and could deplete state revenues at a time when the economy is in a difficult situation. Critics point out that the legislation may also attract more immigrants to Oklahoma, may be contributing to unemployment and economic problems. Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, an opponent of the resolution, estimates the cost of taking care of both illegal and legal immigrants at $61 billion nationally. Attracting more immigrants would seem to increase this figure.
This resolution could affect Oklahoma in a number of ways. When considering this resolution, house and senate members should consider the short and long run effects the bill will have on Oklahoma and its residents.
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