Obama Urges Governor to OK College Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is urging Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign legislation extending state financial aid to illegal immigrant college students.

[RAFAEL MUNOZ]

YAS I WANTE YOU TO PASS

[Pablo Cruz]

Learn to write in English if you would like to attend college Rafael. Sucks that I am still paying back my college loans since my "Legal" family made too much money for financial support. If this passes...I am moving to New Zealand.

[bored]

I was considering voting for Obama, but not any more! If someone is an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, then why should taxpayers foot their college bill?

Maybe I should head to Mexico, or Russia (illegaly of course) and see what kind of services they offer me?

[Terri]

If they're here illegally and graduate from high school can't they go through the proper channels to become citizens? Then if they're legal they can qualify for the same grants as other college students. Why set aside grant money for illegal students? I agree they should be free to follow their 'dreams', but not at the expense of those that are here by the proper channels - birth or legal immigration. I trust the Govenor to make the right decision.

[John]

I have a question...what is an illegal immigrant doing getting a free education in high school to begin with.

This argument is always the same. Legal immigrants that follow the laws, become accountable, and pay taxes, I have no problem with. But people that just jump the border, grab all the free benefits that taxpayers pay for and follow only the laws they make up in their heads should get nothing!

[Sad]

This is unbelievable! When are we going to stop giving hand outs to everyone?

[Paul]

Educational financial aid to non U.S. citizens should not be allowed. Try taking your college age child to another country and see if the government there will subsidize your child's education.

[NYC]

Terri wrote:

If they're here illegally and graduate from high school can't they go through the proper channels to become citizens?

Absolutely NOT.

[Dustin]

I am not going to vote for Obama now. He seemed a reasonable candidate, but this peice of legislation just does not do any justice.

[Emmy in Oakdale]

No, absolutly(sp) not lets take care of our own kids. If they want to go to college they can go back to there own country which ever that may be and get an education there. We have our own youth to worry about. If they are legal no problem they no doubt care enough about this country to become a citizan but those who can't take the time to became legal should have no rights medical, education etc. And for those of you who are going to say I'm against immigrants my grandparents came to this country in 1938 from Switzerland however they learned to speak english and became citizans in 1941 because they were proud to be here... STOP with the hand outs

[Liz]

I would LOVE to be able to go to college.. however.. I am not an illegal immigrant, I have to work full time and can't afford to quit working to go to school. Must be nice to be here illegally and get free medical and free schooling! This country doesn't like us blue collar workers really striving to do better for ourselves.
God bless the USA..

[bonni]

I would not vote for BO now if they paid me

[Jon]

"While I do not believe that undocumented children should be penalized for the acts of their parents, this bill would penalize students here legally by reducing the financial aid they rely on to allow them to go to college and pursue their dreams."
What more is there to add?

[John Q]

Obama is a traitor.

No other country in the world would consider this. For having such a huge deficit, we sure do piss away a lot of money.

[Hard Rocker]

YET ANOTHER reason to NOT vote for Obama

[Jim Spivey]

This is ridiculous. They are illegal. Let's concentrate on providing that educational assistance to our LEGAL residence.

Any kind words I had for Obama are gone.

[Sac Girl]

While I am mexican american and disagree with the racists attitudes towards illegals that are usually on these forums, I can honestly say that I do not agree that illegals should qualify for grants. I don't think that's fair. Let them be eligible for student/parent loans, at least they have to pay those back, but not free grants.

[legalatina]

As a mother of four school-age children (eldest about to go to college next year), a proud Hispanic-American (whose parents immigrated here legally over 50 years ago), I am deeply concerned and opposed to the "DREAM Act".
Governor Schwarzenegger needs to hear from American families struggling to save and worrying about how they are going to pay for their children's education. Is it fair that we are making American families subsidize these benefits for foreign nationals who reside here illegally? The illegal alien students have every right and opportunity to attend world-class colleges and universities in their home countries including eligibility for scholarships and financial aid. No one is denying them that opportunity. Public and private universities in most of Latin America and Mexico, for example, are extremely inexpensive compared to the equivalent in the United States.( The Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala for example costs just about $110 dollars/per year, the National Autonomous University in Mexico is free and their enrollment is down, they need students). In many instances, these students can go to college in their native lands for less than what it costs an average American college student and their famliy to pay for college textbooks. Why do these illegal alien students refuse to go to college in their home countries? Certainly they would be most welcome and could do some good for their people back home. Armed with a college degree, English skills, they would then be in a better position to return to the U.S. at some point in the future, legally.
Perhaps your newspaper would be doing these student and their families a favor by educating them about the affordable costs and educational opportunities that they do have available in their home countries. If that's what they are truly seeking, it seems only logical that they should return to their native countries and enroll in the universities there. They have the right to do so.

[Angry Citizen]

NO, NO , NO!! This is ridiculous. Doesn't the word "illegal" mean anything??? I am so tired of illegal immigrants coming into this country and expecting to receive better treatment than U.S. citizens. I know so many people who can't afford to go to college and who can't qualiify of any type of aide. The government needs to get smart and send the illegal immigrants back to where they came from. If they can't afford to live/or go to school here on their own, than they need to go home!!!!!!

[Kathryn]

I think most of you make fantastic arguments against the "Dream Act" hopefully you have also thought to go the the governor's official website and email him your opinion. He is elected to listen to the voice of the people, so lets make our voice known.