^ D A I L Y UTAH CHRONICLE O PINION www.dallyutahchronicle.com Tuesday, January 31, 2006 Undocumented immigrants should be eligible for in-state tuition THE CHRONICLE'S VIEW Get out and protest F Editor: A recent letter to the editor of The Daily Utah Chronicle disparaged those who support and advocate in-state or resident college tuition for children of undocumented workers and described them as "evil" ("Those who don't oppose illegal immigration are evil/' Jan. 24). The university fully stands behind the law in supporting in-state college tuition for these students. Current law allows these students to pay in-state tuition, as it does every other Utah student who is admitted to the U, as long as he or she has met eligibility requirements, which include having attended a Utah high school for three years and graduated Under these guidelines, students must qualify for the U and pay in-state tuition, just like all other incoming Utah students. Students who do not meet these eligibility requirements must currently pay out-of-state tuition but can become eligible for in-state tuition after they have lived in Utah for two years or have taken 60 credit hours at the U. In fact, repealing state law as it now stands will not affect the status of out-of-state students. They still must pay out-of-state rates, abiding by state policy. The university supports pro-education initiatives, such as "Utahns for the American Dream," because it believes in the potential of all students. We recognize that Utah's greatest asset is a well-educated, productive population. Children of undocumented workers in Utah will likely stay in the state. • Therefore, it is in Utah's best interest that they be educated and productive. As we face this new century of demographic shifts in Utah, it is essential that forward-thinking people consider this growth, future labor force needs and strategies to nurture a professionally skilled labor force. We are a nation of immigrants, which has enriched and strengthened American culture. The university stands by its commitment to all Utah children. Without in-state tuition eligibility, children of undocumented parents have the door to higher education effectively closed. Professor Theresa A. Martinez or anyone who ever wanted to know what it was like to live during the '60s—now is your chance. ;y Yesterday, a group of 40 to 50 U students marched on the State Capitol to protest various issues. Among these issues were bills that would require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, remove; the in-state tuition waiver made available to undocumented immigrants and modify the criminal code in regard to hate crimes. , Not all of the students were on the same sides of the debates, but that doesn't matter. The key is that they were exercising their constitutional rights. They were getting involved in the process and fulfilling their duties as citizens. They sparked debate, a fact evidenced when members of the Utah Minutemen organization followed them v from the City and County Building to the Capitol, snapping their pictures as they ' marched. These students from all over campus joined together for various reasons to actively engage in democracy. The Student Activist Movement, a joint organization of eight student groups on campus, should be commended for organizing this protest. Even though the organized protest is over, students should continue to exercise their right of petitioning government by contacting their state legislators until the end of the 45-day session. Students should find out what issues are facing the Legislature this session and make their opinions known. Regardless of the issue or the stance one takes on it, our government only functions when all members of society areenthusiasticallyparticipating. 4^i^USi4^- - * Even after the session concludes, students need to continue to be politically active. Only when legislators feel that their job security is being affected will they be receptive to what people have to say. By being an' educated member of the electorate, you automatically make yourself that much more *; likely to get your voice heard. In all honesty, some state legislators aren't going to listen to anyone who doesn't have. a "lobbyist" sticker on his or her nametag. The sad fact is that many legislators are so sure of their own infallibility that they are often unwilling to listen to their constituents' opinions. Nevertheless, these students are to be commended for taking the first step In the right direction—and other students should;, follow in their footsteps. • Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion or The Daily Utah Chronicle editorial Board. Editorial columns and letters to the editor are strictly the opinions of the author. The forum created on the Opinion Page is one based on vigorous debate, while at the same time demanding tolerance and respect. Material defamatory to an individual or group because of race, ethnic background, religion, creed, gender, appearance or sexual orientation will be edited or will not be published. All letters to the editor will now be published online at www.dailyutahchronicle.com. Letters that the editor deems best represent those received will be printed in the newspaper as well as online Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Outreach Co-Chair, Utahns for the American Dream Fred C. Esplin Vice President for University Relations and Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement 20). Undocumented students often live in fear and do not say anything to support HB144 or condemn HB 7. I'm a freshman under the tuition waiver offered by HB 144.1 have privately funded scholarships that pay my educational expenses. Yet my future at the U is uncertain. I want to clear up some misconceptions about undocumented people. For HB 144 to apply, a student must have attended a Utah high school for at least three years and graduated or attained a GED. Students must also file an affidavit stating that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status or will soon. People say that undocumented students are taking taxpayer money. Yet undocumented people pay federal and state taxes. The majority of undocumented workers also file taxes every year with ITINs, ' Individual Tax Identification Numbers. Another argument is that undocumented workers are employed "under-the-table." It's very hard to be employed underthe-table. Out of the 38 adult family members and friends I know currently working without proper documentation, zero are paid under-the-table. Undocumented students aren't eligible for federal or state financial aid, or any scholarship Editor: I agree that some will be disgusted by the letter from local resident Kenny Williams about illegal immigration ("Those who don*t oppose illegal immigration are evil," Jan. 24.) Apparently, what Williams has learned about our country is that we are a nation of laws. This obviously includes illegal aliens who thumb their nose at our laws just by being here. Make no mistake; they are criminals. Williams, unlike some, understands this fact. He clearly understands that our ancestors came here in obedience of the laws of the time and upon setting foot in this country, set goals and strove to work together with others to create this great nation. At least one of my ancestors when arriving announced to his family: We are now Americansl We will speak English from now on] The idea, of course, was that they were proud to be here, wanted tofitin and desired to join in the effort to build this great country. They were proud to pay their fair share of taxes. Unlike today's illegal aliens, they wanted to be part of the collective effort to make the United States a better country. They didn't ship $17 billion put of the country— they spent their hard earned money right at home. It is ignorant to believe that employers who would hire illegal aliens would actually give themselves away to our government by paying the money they withhold as taxes. It is true that we are a somewhat culturally diverse society, but it is foolish to believe that this diversity should so divide our nation that we cannot speak English as one people. Wasn't it Lincoln that said united we stand, divided we fall? We mus.t not allow the diversity wj^nin society to create factions within our county that divide us in our goals. And finally, there is every reason that we should discourage illegal immigration. No one is discouraging legal immigration! The United States is forfeiting its power to control diseases that were wiped out years ago within this country by not closing its doors to those who are carrying these diseases to us again. We must know who is coming here and what their intentions are. Our very survival as a nation is at risk. Russell Sias Provo Martin Luther King Jr. doesn't need embellishment Don't hurt undocumented students Editor: I am writing in response to the recent article about tuition and undocumented students ("Bill could raise tuition for undocumented immigrants," Jan. Illegal immigrants are criminals that isn't privately funded. Give them the right to education by supporting HB 144. Help us not live in fear. My parents brought me here in search of a better life. I don't want to disappoint them. I hope you'll be able to recognize the societal racism behind this bill; it is never talked about in context of undocumented Canadian students. This law is aimed to enforce the status quo and to keep minorities from being successful. I hope that you will not encourage anti-progressive legislation such as HB 7; make your support for HB 144 known. I encourage you to write letters to local legislators letting them know your opposition to HB 7. Anonymous Editor: I am a 60-year-old, retired medical doctor and a divinity student at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. I am researching a paper on Martin Luther King Jr.'s anti-Vietnam War ministry. In so doing, I came across Jay Richards' Jan. 17 column, "Remember Martin Luther King Jr." One of the things I've found in reading about King is that emotional presentation often replaces accuracy— i.e., the truth. For example, Richards writes that, "King...spoke with vigor against (the Vietnam War's) inception and continuation." Well, I suppose you could argue that King did speak against the war's inception—years after its inception. Using hindsight, anyone can speak against an ill-conceived war after its inception. The point is that, while he was a pacifist, King did not publicly speak out against the war in Vietnam until March 1965, and it was not a feature of his ministry until April 1967. You see, Richards, James Frey's A Million Little Pieces journalism is not limited to Oprah. While what you've said may "resonate," as Oprah would say, it only sounds good. It just isn't true. • King's life was bigger than life without you painting him as bigger than life. I've put your integrity on the line here, Richards; rather, you put your integrity on the line, and so did The Daily Utah Chronicle if it published your column. Alan Palmer Dayton, Ohio Anything a guy can do, a girl can do better Let's face it—we'd all be a lot better off if the ladies were running the show A fter my roommate ate half my pizza in the fridge today (Dear Tom, Stop eating our food and contribute, you bastard!), I suddenly became convinced of something: If women ran the world, dumb things (war, disease, reality TV, etc.) would occur less frequently and in much smaller doses. This conclusion comes after' years of personal experience with amazing grandmothers, mothers (both genealogical and communal), sisters, girlfriends and female acquaintances, who have proven over and over again that, try as we might, men are still dumber than women. But I guess the question that begs asking is, if women are so smart, why aren't they in power? And the next question is—who's saying they aren't? Let's face it: Eve knew that the garden was boring, and she managed to find us a loophole out. AU of those who value TiVo and Seven jeans should be praising her wisdom, but instead we condemn her from all corners of Christendom. Women solve their problems through communication—men hit each other. Which is the more effective method? So while we men bravely spit and swear, women get things done—sometimes if only behind the scenes. Every time a great man made his mark in the history of this world, we can be assured that a great woman had her hand firmly in the mix. And she didn't have to spit, swear or poke an eye out to do it. It's a wonder that men dominate the political world. We're so busy blowing each other up, shredding our knees in sports or dislocating our thumbs on PlayStations—where do we get the time to dedicate to the pursuit of happiness? Luckily, women are becoming a little more obvious about the fact that they've been running the show since the beginning of time—starting with the looming Politician Death Match we're all anxiously awaiting between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Condoleezza Rice. One question, however, has plagued us since the beginning of time: Who is smarter in this battle of the sexes? There is one test to discover the answer. The fact that women understand women and men, and men only understand...uh... Picture, if you will, thirty apes gathered around a Rubik's cube, scratching their I f women ran the world, crania, hooting, hollering and trying to puzzle dumb things (war, disease, out the enigmatic shape. reality television, etc.) would They know that this figure is important, that it has a occur less frequently and in solution and that, it has to make sense. much smaller doses. One adventurous primate picks up a stick and gives the rube a good whacking. The funny thing is, men don't "Whoop, whoop!" Oh, joyl This is often think about how to solve the the most progress they have made in puzzle better or if there is a certain decades! Just wait until one of them technique we should use. Somefigures out how to turn the rows! times we don't even stop to wonder if every Rubik's cube is the same. Like the apes and the cube, men have been assembled stupidly Our greatest worry? If our stick is around the multi-colored, impossibigger than the other apes'. bly complex Rubik's cube that is the No doubt about it, be it pizza or female mind for centuries, with few politics, men ride the short bus. If results. I often find myself wanting only we could figure out how to to scratch my head and beat my own drive it...or pull over and switch chest, while clumsily fumbling for seats. a big stick with which to whack the letters@ cube. chronicle.utah.edu