Illegal Immigrants getting in-state tuition in Texas increases

This article published on Dallas News caught my attention since it was an issue affecting around 700,000 students enrolled in Texas. The Immigration Nationality Act of 1996 prohibits access to in-state tuition benefits by undocumented students (section 8 USC 1623). It reads “…an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit…”.  In contrary to this Texas awarded $33.6 million in-state and institutional financial aid to illegal students that enrolled between fall 2004 and summer 2008 and this number continues to increase at Texas public colleges and universities. The most devastating part of it is that, these students are not able to be legally employed and work as professionals which makes the state investment unworthy. The money spent on these illegal aliens should be benefits going to Texas students in the form of loans or grants which they aren’t getting

Gov. Rick perry also supports the law aiding illegal immigrant students. In a recent debate, he said the students are on the path to citizenship. However, they actually won't be on that path unless the Dream Act passes, which allow illegal and portable aliens who graduate in US conditional permanent residency. I surely count myself among those who strongly support the governor on this issue or if not Texas would be wasting budget of its actual residents.