Tuition equity bill ads up to special treatment

Miriam Corona’s Feb. 1 guest opinion advocating her position that in-state tuition to Oregon colleges be granted for undocumented immigrants neglected other areas of concern that must be considered by lawmakers: in general, the larger picture of how a decision favoring her view would affect others.

While I empathize with the predicament these undocumented students face in paying the high cost of non-resident tuition, there fails to be any recognition of how the very demands they make discriminate against others with the very same aspirations for a college education that they themselves seek. In other words, they are not taking into account that the issue is larger than just themselves.

I have never heard any group that advocates for in-state tuition for undocumented students express any concern for the non-resident students who are legal citizens of this country but are required to pay three to four times the amount of tuition as an Oregon resident. It becomes apparent that the word “equity” (as in the tuition equity bill being proposed) is hardly the appropriate term if it is not inclusive of in-state tuition also being extended to current and future non-resident students.

These non-resident students also want something better for themselves and many have undergone adversity. Some may be legal immigrants from the same country as Corona. Others may be past or current military veterans. Should their dreams be ignored because they cannot afford the costs of non-resident tuition? Should the wants of an undocumented student take precedence over a legal citizen who is a non-resident?

The tuition equity bill would allow undocumented students to pay the same tuition as Oregon residents. Corona states in her guest opinion that “This bill wouldn’t give undocumented students special treatment.” I disagree. Allowing undocumented students to pay the same tuition as Oregon residents while denying non-resident citizens the same privilege is, without a doubt, special treatment. Most disturbing to me is the absence of any gratitude expressed by undocumented students for the 12 years of free public education they have already received in preparation for a college education.

It is through lack of enforcement of federal and state immigration laws that we are left with this dilemma. Although many immigrants go through the legal process to become citizens, many do not and it is primarily the children who suffer that poor decision.

There is little doubt in my mind that the undocumented students who are eligible for college or have already been accepted have worked hard and studied hard to achieve their dream. However, considerations pertaining to whether they should also be eligible for resident tuition will take careful thought.

Our legislators must cast aside any personal agendas or thoughts and consider all sides of this issue. Most certainly those considerations must extend to the plight of the non-resident student. Our legislators’ decisions regarding this issue must be fair to all. I pray they are up to the task.

Brian Maas, retired from Oregon Dept of Revenue and military veteran / Special to the Statesman Journal

Brian L. Maas of Salem is retired from the Oregon Department of Revenue. He can be reached at Maasblm@aol.com