shooterx10
September 16, 2003, 05:04 PM
AS IF GIVING THEM DRIVER'S LICENSES WASN'T ENOUGH! WHAT'S NEXT?!?!?
Immigrants may be aided by bill OK'd by Assembly
By Associated Press
SACRAMENTO -- A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for financial aid at California community colleges was approved by the state Assembly on Thursday.
The bill, by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, would direct the board of governors to establish a process so students without legal immigration status can apply to have tuition waived.
It would require that the student attended high school in California for at least three years, obtained a diploma or an equivalent degree and, if the student isn't in the state legally, has applied to become a legal resident.
Opponents said the bill followed in the footsteps of the recently approved bill to allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. :cuss:
"Now we want to give financial aid in community colleges to illegal aliens?" said Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia. "Members, what is the matter with you?"
But supporters said the bill would help those students become educated members of the state's work force, helping the economy.
"We can continue to bury our heads in the sand and ignore it, but this helps kids who are in this state, who have graduated from high school, who we hope will go on to college, or learn a trade," said Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael. "It's the right thing to do politically, it's the right thing to do socially, and it's the right thing to do economically as well."
The bill was approved on a 43-27 vote, returning to the Senate for approval of Assembly amendments.
Here is the link. (http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%7E20954%7E1626888,00.html)
Immigrants may be aided by bill OK'd by Assembly
By Associated Press
SACRAMENTO -- A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for financial aid at California community colleges was approved by the state Assembly on Thursday.
The bill, by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, would direct the board of governors to establish a process so students without legal immigration status can apply to have tuition waived.
It would require that the student attended high school in California for at least three years, obtained a diploma or an equivalent degree and, if the student isn't in the state legally, has applied to become a legal resident.
Opponents said the bill followed in the footsteps of the recently approved bill to allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. :cuss:
"Now we want to give financial aid in community colleges to illegal aliens?" said Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia. "Members, what is the matter with you?"
But supporters said the bill would help those students become educated members of the state's work force, helping the economy.
"We can continue to bury our heads in the sand and ignore it, but this helps kids who are in this state, who have graduated from high school, who we hope will go on to college, or learn a trade," said Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael. "It's the right thing to do politically, it's the right thing to do socially, and it's the right thing to do economically as well."
The bill was approved on a 43-27 vote, returning to the Senate for approval of Assembly amendments.
Here is the link. (http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%7E20954%7E1626888,00.html)