Immigrants to Pay Tuition at Rate Set for Residents

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

57. As a minor, I had no options either

As a legal immigrant, I don't see any reason why I should be treated differently on matters such as in-state tuition from those who are not legal immigrants - even through no fault of their own. If these kids can qualify for in-state tuition, then the kid of an H-1B worker or an O-1 worker or anything else should also be able to get in-state tuition.

Residence for legal purposes is defined differently. Residence for immigration purposes is also defined differently. I have no problem with these kids paying in-state tuition, but the same courtesy should be extended to the kids of other types of immigrants who as yet don't receive the same consideration in many states.

I can also assure you that I was too wedged in two worlds. When I arrived in the U.S. I didn't speak one word of English. I arrived two weeks before I began high school in a rural town in NC where no one spoke my language and no ESL classes were offered. I couldn't take tests or the SAT in Italian, I couldn't take my driver's license test in Italian. I had to sink or swim. I chose to swim.

I can assure you that was not fun - I was subjected more than once to ignorance and prejudice, not just from the students, but the teachers as well. So I do have some sympathy for the situation a lot of these kids find themselves in.

But we do have a large set of immigration laws that govern how people can and cannot enter the U.S. Surely, they need to be reformed in some way to ensure the kids who have no other choice can live their lives as full members of society, contributing as we all do.

At the same time, the laws that are in place should be enforced. Employers must bear the onus of verifying employment eligibility of their employees and must be fined if they don't comply. The main aim of immigration policy should be to bring in the best and brightest. The U.S. is already losing this battle thanks to incredibly long visa processing times and cumbersome multi-page forms that look like IQ tests.

All that I ask is that legal immigrants be treated fairly in the process as well. We certainly must find a solution for the millions who are in the U.S. illegally (either by entering without inspection or overstaying visas), but not at the expense of those who are following the rules and waiting years - if not decades - for their turn.