Some lawmakers and a Board of Regents committee in Georgia sensibly insist that Georgia’s state colleges should not be admitting students who are in the United States illegally if that crowds out someone who is here legally. While that is a good first step, we believe no illegal alien should be granted admission to a public college under any circumstances.
We do not fault anyone for desiring an education, and we realize that many illegal aliens come to this country to seek opportunity. But it is especially unjust when the admission of an illegal alien to a public college or university keeps a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant from gaining admission.
Just down Interstate 75 at Dalton State College, dozens of students were listed as “undocumented” as of mid-September. Hundreds more attend public colleges around the state. Some of those may be in the United States legally and only failed to provide proof of legal status on time. But some are almost certainly illegal.
The issue got attention after an illegal alien was found to be attending Kennesaw State University at low in-state tuition rates. That means Georgia taxpayers were directly subsidizing the student’s unlawful actions.
It is wrong that someone who is in the United States in violation of our laws should not only be permitted to attend taxpayer-supported colleges and universities, but should be doing so at the risk of denying higher education to an American citizen.