Higher educational institutions; policies prohibitting admission of illegal aliens. (HB1465)

This bill was last introduced in 2008. It was a bad idea then, and it remains bad policy now. Denying all undocumented students (regardless of residency or tax payments) access to public higher education in Virginia even at community colleges and at full pay out of state rates does nothing but encourage gang recruiting and deny us the benefit of the bright minds of children whose presence in this country was not a choice but a consequence of decisions made by their parents and other adults. VACOLAO opposes this bill.

Well that's nice and I agree with you. But think how anxious a legislator will be to have this on their resume.

I agree VACOLAO -- we are foolish to deny talented youth (or anyone)an education. What alternatives are left for uneducated? Would you flip burgers or help customers find shirts and ties for $8/hour when you can make hundreds if not thousands a week in the gang trade?
We need to block all of these hate-based bills, and also need to restructure pay scales at the lower end of the spectrum.
There are just too many jobs today that pay less than what you need to get by on; our middle class is turning into an endentured servitude class for corporations.

If YOU want to pay for EVERYBODY in the world to get a "higher" education, YOU PAY FOR IT. I've had to pay my own way for over 20 years...why shouldn't each Person pay their own way? These are JUST "state" institutions - you know, the one's WE PAY FOR. Illegals are Criminals and should be deported. Period. If they have such great minds, they should Use it and enter our Country - LEGALLY, or Apply for legal residence...duh!...This is a SMART BILL for every Taxpayer..Only a spoon-fed elitist, white collar-neverhadtofendforthemselves person, would think otherwise.

Stop the rhetoric please....

There are two claims for this bill: (1) taxpayer support for these students and (2) encouraging people to come to the US without permission. Neither is valid. Point (1): These students pay full out-of-state tuition. The big state schools are required to maintain limits on out-of-state students to ensure spots for in-state students. These are high-achieving kids who could contribute to this country (DREAM Act) and who would have to pay the full amount so subsidies are really not at issue. Point (2): These kids are already here. It is ridiculous to think someone in the fields of Guatemala would trek to the US and enter illegally so that someday their kid could go to UVA. Punishing the kids who are already here, have probably grown up here and don't know their country of origin, and who have already shown they are achievers does nothing to stop other people from coming here.

Legally here. If they are high achieving kids, they should be able to find out what they can do to become legal. If not let em pay the big bucks and go to Harvard. Save the public schools ( you know the ones I work to provide funds for) so those of us who are here legally can afford to go and send our kids to a good school in our state.

If they are high achieving kids, they should be able to find out what they can do to become legal.

Keep in mind here that we're potentially talking about kids whose parents came to this country when they were infants. They're as American as you and me. What they need to do to become legal is to go "home"—that is, to a country and a culture that is as alien to them as it would be to either of us if we were dropped into the middle of say, Colombia—apply for citizenship, and wait years. No amount of "high achieving" will accelerate that process. Punishing these kids for the sins of their parents strikes me as pretty un-American.

I think this legislation is very short-sighted in terms of the state's economy. Why would we want to deny the benefit of education to people who are living here and paying taxes? Does Peace intend that these people be a permanant underclass and what does he intend to gain by that? I used to think Chris Peace was a thoughtful guy, but I think this is pandering in hopes of future ambition.

The Commonwealth must adopt policies that discourage illegal immigrants from settling here. This bill is but one piece of that larger picture. I have sympathy for children of illegals, who may have been here since they were infants. They certainly did nothing wrong. The answer, though, isn't to simply grant rights to illegals across the board. There is an old saying in jurisprudence that "hard cases make bad law," meaning that emotional considerations have often led to poor legal precedents. That principle applies here.

This legislation is right on. I am just confused why it has to be introduced. Illegal immigrants...key word ILLEGAL. Why should an American be denied an education because their spot was given to someone who is in this country illegally? I personally do not want my children going to school with people that have no regard for the law and I certainly do not want to pay for it. They are criminials and should be not be pitied. If we keep giving illegals reasons to come here; like food stamps, health care, public education, jobs (look around - who is working) and now a higher education, more will come. Wake up people! Illegals are sucking our system dry and we can no longer afford them!

The following is my opinion,
Illegal immigration is a serious epidemic in our country. Illegal aliens should be held accountable for their lawlessness. And it is high time that all states in our union start cracking down on illegal immigration, barring silly things like sanctuary cities, drivers licenses, jobs, and even apartments for those who are not Citizens. Number 1 it costs Citizens and States money. Number 2, illegal aliens have proved that they have no respect for U.S. law, so why should illegal aliens and/or the children of illegal aliens be allowed to even enroll in any U.S. college??? Number 3, just take a look at the main states that have a disproportionate amount of illegal aliens; such as, Arizona, California, Florida, etc., etc., etc..... they are all on the verge of going bankrupt! Public care like Hospitals, Schools etc. are overrun and taxed to the max with illegal aliens!!! Enough already! It is high time that WE THE PEOPLE stand up and let our government on all levels hear our LOUD VOICES saying!!!! SECURE THE BORDERS AND ENFORCE OUR NATION'S IMMIGRATION LAWS!!!!
And by the way, press 1 for English, and 2 for Spanish if you wish to reply to my opinion.

So, in one bill they want to set limits on in-state students at 75%, yet want to allow illegals to attend? I really don't understand liberals and progressives. I guess they won't be happy until we change the constitution to allow Puntin to be president!