January 27, 2008

A new one on me: its not illegal…its “nonlegal”! As in nonlegal resident – from the New York Times

Posted by D.A. King at 10:22 pm - Email the author   Print This Post Print This Post  

This is too nonunfunny!

“…Mr. Carrillo, the Arizona State student, said he knew of several nonlegal residents considering returning to Mexico for college. “

Arizona Law Takes a Toll on Nonresident Students
New York Times
Written by JESSE McKINLEY

January 27, 2008

By JESSE McKINLEY

PHOENIX — When Marco Carrillo, a naturalized American and a high school valedictorian, went to meet with his college counselor, her major worry about his future had little to do with his SAT scores or essay or extracurricular activities.

It had to do with his citizenship.

“The very first question she asked me was whether I was a legal resident here,” said Mr. Carrillo, 20, now an electrical engineering student at Arizona State University in Tempe. “And I said, ‘Yeah, I am.’ And she said, ‘Oh good, that makes things easier.’ ”

Such questions have become commonplace in Arizona, where voters passed a 2006 referendum, Proposition 300, that forbids college students who cannot prove they are legal residents from receiving state financial assistance.

One of several recent immigration statutes passed by Arizona voters and legislators frustrated by federal inaction, the law also prohibits in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Administrators at several campuses fear that the provision has priced some out of their classes, particularly at the state’s popular community colleges.

Read it here from Jerry’s site.

YOU CAN E MAIL THE TIMES REPORTER HERE – TRY TO BE NONRUDE.