From Oregonians for Immigration Reform

April 13, 2009

A hearing on HB 2939 was held this afternoon by the House Education Committee. HB 2939 was the last item on the Committee’s agenda; 3 other bills were heard first. The Hearing on HB 2939 lasted about 50 minutes, from 2:10 until 3 pm. Everyone interested in HB 2939 had to sit and wait through the earlier hearings. Many OFIR members attended the meeting.

While at the Legislature, we learned that a number of legislators reported receiving many, many phone calls and emails opposing HB 2939. Congratulations, OFIR members and activists!

Large numbers of mostly Hispanic students of college age attended the Hearing. So many people came that the Hearing chamber was filled, and the overflow of some 50 or more people sat outside in the lobby with a television monitor where they could see and hear proceedings.

At the beginning of the Hearing, State Sen. Frank Morse (R-Albany/Corvallis) spoke; he is one of two Republican sponsors of the bill in addition to the main sponsor, Rep. Michael Dembrow (D-NE Portland). He described at length his warm feelings toward immigrants and his distress that “through no fault of their own,” “undocumented” students are unable to attend college because of the high tuition rates for non-citizens. He appeared oblivious to any larger implications of giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens. Seated at the witness table with Sen. Morse was a woman representing the illegal alien students’ cause. Then a telephone connection to Portland State University President, Wim Wiewel, was opened, and Pres. Wiewel spoke in favor of HB 2939. He said that he supports “tuition equity” for undocumented students, arguing that the state has already invested in their education and we should not condemn them to not attending college. “We should not shut the door on some students. We want these students in classes.”

(It seems that many in college bureaucracies want large enrollments in their colleges, and don’t care whether the students are here legally or not. This lack of long-term vision and the disregard for national sovereignty issues on the part of college administrators are very harmful to citizens and the nation.)

Committee members sometimes questioned witnesses, and Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) asked Wiewel a question about the probable effect on tuition rates if illegal aliens are given in-state tuition. Wiewel claimed there is no connection between tuition increases and enrollment of illegal students. Rep. Roblan (D-Coos Bay) told of knowing some (presumably) illegal immigrants who couldn’t go to college here, so they went to college in New York and became doctors and lawyers. Rep. Van Orman (R-Hood River) told about attending a graduation recently at which many that she knew, who had been in the Head Start program earlier, were now graduating from high school. “This is what we’re talking about,” she said.

Rep. Thatcher asked how many students would get benefits under HB 2939, but she did not receive an answer.

The next panel of three witnesses included Jim Ludwick, OFIR President, and two OFIR members. Both OFIR members spoke eloquently. The first to speak told of her background as a person of Hispanic origin who believes deeply in the rule of law and objects to privileges and benefits being given to illegal immigrants. Her own family came legally and has always observed U.S. laws. The second OFIR speaker pointed out the difficulties citizens face now as a result of excessive government spending generally, how the economic crisis has hurt citizens, and how wrong it is for the government to provide services and privileges to illegal immigrants.

A staff member of one of the Representatives spoke next, claiming that Pres. Ludwick was incorrect in stating that HB 2939 is in conflict with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. He said he had obtained an opinion from legal counsel that HB 2939 is not in conflict, and he passed copies of the opinion to each Committee member.

(Pres. Ludwick is familiar with this opinion by legal counsel, and states that the opinion is not as interpreted by the staff member, that it does not give a green light to HB 2939.)

Two more students spoke next, each detailing personal histories of how hard they have tried to be good students, the various honors they have received, etc., and how unhappy they are at not being able to attend college because of high tuition rates that citizens do not have to pay.

As it was necessary for the Committee to vacate the Hearing Room by 3 p.m., only one more witness was allowed to speak. This was another OFIR member, who spoke against lobbying of legislatures and government agencies by foreign nationals, citing warnings by historic figures about such lobbying. He was cut short by the Committee Chair, who adjourned the meeting without announcement of next action on HB 2939.

The Hearing attracted considerable media attention. Reporters and cameramen from Channel 2, 6, 8, and OPB were seen, as well as from The Oregonian and Associated Press. Pres. Ludwick had several interviews.