Don't drop the debate; reframe it
Immigration
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: Opinion
What U.S. citizen doesn't value either of those?
Respect for the rule of law is what has enabled the U.S. to be self-governing. On the other hand, access to education is part of what has enabled the majority of U.S. citizens to attain a high standard of living relative to the rest of the world.
The issue is no easier to resolve if it is reframed only in terms of what is best for Arkansas.
From legal, financial and practical perspectives, the state cannot afford to provide education at in-state prices for out-of-state students or to not provide education at in-state prices for undocumented students whose parents have lived, worked and paid taxes to the state. At least not when Arkansas is ranked second-to-last among the states in the percentage of adults with college degrees.
What this debate requires is a fresh and creative approach. One that pays respect to the fact that illegal immigrant children are not responsible for the choices that rendered them illegal immigrants in the first place. One that pays respect to the fact that many immigrants enter the country legally and their adherence to the law deserves to be rewarded. One that pays respect to the fact that extenuating circumstances dictate that some people need to enter the U.S. more desperately than others. And all at the same time.
It sounds impossible. And, for the moment, it is. Sweeping governmental reform of immigration law is highly unlikely at a time when presidential candidates do not even make mention of the issue in their debates.
But what is possible now and always is to address this issue on the personal level - to address the struggles of individual illegal immigrants, to try to alleviate the isolation they feel, to try to inspire in them an affinity for the U.S. by demonstrating that U.S. citizens are compassionate, to educate about the citizenship process, to encourage prospective immigrants to ignore the daunting aspects of the legal application process and apply anyway.
Twenty-one students on the UA campus are illegal immigrants. Chancellor Gearhart and other university officials have opted to try to help those students find private funds to help them pay for the additional cost of out-of-state tuition.
"We think it's the right thing to do … We're going to work with them to try and help them," Gearhart said.
We agree.
Respect for the rule of law is what has enabled the U.S. to be self-governing. On the other hand, access to education is part of what has enabled the majority of U.S. citizens to attain a high standard of living relative to the rest of the world.
The issue is no easier to resolve if it is reframed only in terms of what is best for Arkansas.
From legal, financial and practical perspectives, the state cannot afford to provide education at in-state prices for out-of-state students or to not provide education at in-state prices for undocumented students whose parents have lived, worked and paid taxes to the state. At least not when Arkansas is ranked second-to-last among the states in the percentage of adults with college degrees.
What this debate requires is a fresh and creative approach. One that pays respect to the fact that illegal immigrant children are not responsible for the choices that rendered them illegal immigrants in the first place. One that pays respect to the fact that many immigrants enter the country legally and their adherence to the law deserves to be rewarded. One that pays respect to the fact that extenuating circumstances dictate that some people need to enter the U.S. more desperately than others. And all at the same time.
It sounds impossible. And, for the moment, it is. Sweeping governmental reform of immigration law is highly unlikely at a time when presidential candidates do not even make mention of the issue in their debates.
But what is possible now and always is to address this issue on the personal level - to address the struggles of individual illegal immigrants, to try to alleviate the isolation they feel, to try to inspire in them an affinity for the U.S. by demonstrating that U.S. citizens are compassionate, to educate about the citizenship process, to encourage prospective immigrants to ignore the daunting aspects of the legal application process and apply anyway.
Twenty-one students on the UA campus are illegal immigrants. Chancellor Gearhart and other university officials have opted to try to help those students find private funds to help them pay for the additional cost of out-of-state tuition.
"We think it's the right thing to do … We're going to work with them to try and help them," Gearhart said.
We agree.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sean Hannity
James
posted 10/17/08 @ 5:50 AM CST
"Respect for the rule of law is what has enabled the U.S. to be self-governing. On the other hand..."
Nope, sorry. There is no 'other hand'. Either you respect the law or you do not. (Continued…)
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