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Illegal immigrants pay taxes, benefit state
Editorial
by Emerald Editorial Board |
PUBLISHED ON 2/27/07 IN Commentary
Out-of-state tuition is three times higher than in-state tuition. For the children of illegal immigrants, who have a difficult time receiving in-state tuition, the idea of paying out-of-state tuition creates an insurmountable burden to receiving a quality education. For the second time in four years, the Oregon House of Representatives has introduced tuition equity legislation, which would loosen restrictions on in-state tuition benefits for the children of illegal immigrants.
The main argument against this legislation is that illegal immigrants are not "playing by the rules." The rules - however our legislators decide to define them - do not factor into the realities of immigration, illegal or otherwise. This is a knee-jerk reaction to a perceived problem - a political construct borne of populist sentiments and xenophobia. Laws should not act as immovable burdens to individual greatness.
The long-held belief, propagated by the likes of Lou Dobbs and other anti-immigration crusaders, is that illegal immigrants are draining federal and state coffers. However, Welfare Reform of 1996 disqualified illegal immigrants from receiving benefits like food stamps or welfare benefits. Further, two-thirds of all immigrants pay Medicare, Social Security and income taxes, according to the Reason Foundation. In fact, illegal immigrants are paying more into our system and receiving fewer benefits than ever before - not that the majority of immigrants want benefits. Illegal immigrants are upwardly mobile at a level that outpaces native-born Americans. The only services illegal immigrants receive is emergency medical care and a K-12 education.
If illegal immigrants reside in Oregon, pay taxes and send their children to school, then they are de facto citizens. Denying an individual benefits from a system into which he has paid is unfair and anti-American.
Denying an individual's ability to seek higher education, if the individual's ability merits it, does not make economic sense. Figures from a National Research Council study show that illegal immigrants with a high school education create a lifetime burden of $31,000, while the average immigrant with a college degree was found to pay $105,000 into the system over his or her lifetime.
Oregon wouldn't be breaking new ground by allowing immigrants to receive in-state tuition. Other states have passed similar legislation, making it easier for immigrants to inculcate themselves into society. The legislation would still attach stipulations to receiving in-state tuition, including living in the state for three years, graduating from an Oregon high school and creating "plans to become a citizen or a legal resident alien."
Oregon's legislature should recognize the benefits that immigrants bring to our state. Providing affordable education to all of those who deserve it should be a prime tenet of our state. Illegal immigrants may not be "playing by the rules," but we can always change the rules so they are more equitable and do not service the more reactionary segments of our society.
The main argument against this legislation is that illegal immigrants are not "playing by the rules." The rules - however our legislators decide to define them - do not factor into the realities of immigration, illegal or otherwise. This is a knee-jerk reaction to a perceived problem - a political construct borne of populist sentiments and xenophobia. Laws should not act as immovable burdens to individual greatness.
The long-held belief, propagated by the likes of Lou Dobbs and other anti-immigration crusaders, is that illegal immigrants are draining federal and state coffers. However, Welfare Reform of 1996 disqualified illegal immigrants from receiving benefits like food stamps or welfare benefits. Further, two-thirds of all immigrants pay Medicare, Social Security and income taxes, according to the Reason Foundation. In fact, illegal immigrants are paying more into our system and receiving fewer benefits than ever before - not that the majority of immigrants want benefits. Illegal immigrants are upwardly mobile at a level that outpaces native-born Americans. The only services illegal immigrants receive is emergency medical care and a K-12 education.
If illegal immigrants reside in Oregon, pay taxes and send their children to school, then they are de facto citizens. Denying an individual benefits from a system into which he has paid is unfair and anti-American.
Denying an individual's ability to seek higher education, if the individual's ability merits it, does not make economic sense. Figures from a National Research Council study show that illegal immigrants with a high school education create a lifetime burden of $31,000, while the average immigrant with a college degree was found to pay $105,000 into the system over his or her lifetime.
Oregon wouldn't be breaking new ground by allowing immigrants to receive in-state tuition. Other states have passed similar legislation, making it easier for immigrants to inculcate themselves into society. The legislation would still attach stipulations to receiving in-state tuition, including living in the state for three years, graduating from an Oregon high school and creating "plans to become a citizen or a legal resident alien."
Oregon's legislature should recognize the benefits that immigrants bring to our state. Providing affordable education to all of those who deserve it should be a prime tenet of our state. Illegal immigrants may not be "playing by the rules," but we can always change the rules so they are more equitable and do not service the more reactionary segments of our society.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 21
Bill
posted 2/27/07 @ 5:33 AM PST
What problem?
IT's not LEGAL immigration that citizens have a problem with.. it's the other "undocumented" variety that's out of hand.
A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials
in ages!!! It explains things better than all
the baloney you hear on campus. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 2/27/07 @ 8:50 AM PST
A defacto citizen is an oxymoron. You are either a legal or illegal resident. People who come to the US illegally do so knowing that they are breaking the law and that they are not entitled to the benefits of a legal resident. (Continued…)
Magyart
posted 2/27/07 @ 11:41 PM PST
The cost of a college education is partially paid for with tax dollars. I want my tax dollars to assist other legal Americans. If you want to help educate illegal aliens, I suggest you start a fund that will pay their out-of-state tuition. (Continued…)
Jessi
posted 2/28/07 @ 1:42 AM PST
Undocumented people receive no free services nor do many of them want to. They have to much pride and see themselves try to overcome obstacles of racism and discrimination. (Continued…)
Peter P
posted 2/28/07 @ 6:02 AM PST
It is important to realize that the main supporters of this bill are referring to small children brought into this country illegally.
What should they do? Run away from mom and dad back to their home country?
What until they are 18 and then go back home?
The meaning behind this plan is simple. (Continued…)
Jessi
posted 3/01/07 @ 1:00 AM PST
Undocumented workers work for pennies because employers know that they can use and exploit them as such. Don't get angry because undocumented workers are doing what they can to survive and feed their families, get angry at the AMERICAN'S that are threatening and paying them these wages. (Continued…)
Bob Henderson
posted 3/01/07 @ 3:16 AM PST
This article is wrong on so many levels.
One of the most blatant misconceptions is the euphemism "illegal immigrant". Immigrants are here legally and at the behest and benefit of this country. (Continued…)
Martha
posted 2/15/08 @ 4:25 PM PST
I am so sick of this kind of sophistical nonsense. It sounds good on the surface but cannot stand up true scrutiny. It is NEVER in anyone's best interest to reward wrong action. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 2/15/08 @ 8:11 PM PST
I've worked in jobs where there have been illegal immigrants and they were my homies and some of the nicest people I know. They worked way harder than most white people I've seen and are just trying to provide for their families. (Continued…)
bob
posted 3/26/08 @ 11:49 AM PST
Illegal immigrants are hardworking individuals that are doing their best to provide for the families. Now before all you bigots start saying that they broke into our home and are demeaning this country, let's start to understand the immigration process. (Continued…)
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