One would expect open-borders Democrats in the General Assembly to want illegal immigrants granted taxpayer-supported college in-state tuition. But conservatives who believe in demagnetizing the magnets that lure illegals to Georgia and elsewhere are amazed and outraged that two Republican lawmakers — Rep. David Clark (R-Buford) and Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton)— have jumped on the bandwagon as supporters.
Here’s the dirty secret behind HB 920 (sponsored by Clarke) and HB 997 (sponsored by Carpenter). Although touted as helping Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who can still be subject to deportation, the legislation would allow any illegal alien who meets certain residency requirements to pay lower in-state tuition levels.
Let’s hope enough Republicans and Democrats in the state House who believe in fairness and the rule of law pressure their leaders to block such legislation. An email from Numbers USA – perhaps the nation’s leading advocate for enforcement of immigration laws and for demagnetizing the magnets— effectively sums up the opposition:
· “It’s unfair to subsidize illegal aliens when American students from other states must pay higher out-of-state rates. That’s not tuition equity.
· “ Since there are a fixed number of classroom seats, this legislation will foreclose the graduation potential of citizens and legal residents who are turned away. And the problem will grow as this legislation spurs more illegal aliens to move to Georgia.
· “In-state tuition bill sponsors, the media and illegal alien advocates are trying to convince the public that the legislation benefits Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The truth is, these bills (HB 920, HB 997 and HB 896) would subsidize any illegal alien who meets certain residency requirements.”
By the way, remember that illegal immigrants awarded deferred action on deportation proceedings through the DACA amnesty by both the Obama and Trump administrations do not have “lawful presence,” according to a ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That decision was delivered on March 6, 2019 in response to a lawsuit by several illegal aliens challenging the Board of Regents policy that requires lawful presence for in-state tuition purposes and admittance to some universities.
The General Assembly has far more important business to address than to waste its time considering these ill-considered bills.
Phil Kent is the CEO and Publisher of InsiderAdvantage Georgia. Differing opinions by guest columnists on public policy issues are welcomed.
