Illegal immigrants should be eligible for in-state tuition rates, says editorial

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‘By law, states must provide K-12 education to illegal immigrants, and it’s counterproductive to then erect roadblocks to further advancement for our best and brightest. Studies show that investing in education for immigrants pays off.

‘Assuming they remain in California, their economic contributions more than make up for the cost of subsidized college tuition within a few years. Forcing them to wallow in permanent poverty, by contrast, is a drain on taxpayers -- as well as being flat-out immoral,’ argues this Los Angeles Times editorial.

The column is in response to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a California law granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

The legal action was filed by a group of out-of-state students and parents in 2005 in Yolo County Superior Court against California’s public university and community college systems, alleging that they were being charged higher tuition and fees than undocumented immigrants. A state appellate court ruled earlier this month that the lawsuit can move forward.

Click here for the rest of the editorial on the rights of illegal immigrants to in-state tuition rates, and go here for more on immigration.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City