By: Daniel Nardini
Something about election years that sometimes bring out the worst in some people. Georgia State Senator Barry Loudermilk has introduced a bill that will ban all undocumented students from going to college. Senate Bill (SB) 458 will require all universities and colleges in Georgia to require that all students either applying to go to college or are presently in college to state their immigration status. Those without any legal immigration status will not be allowed to attend college at all. The legislation is presently in the state senate, and with any luck will not go any further. Most colleges and universities in Georgia allow undocumented students to attend, but they must pay out-of-state tuition. Five public universities do not allow undocumented students to attend. Demanding to know the immigration status of a student is in fact something new. That is why this law is to put it mildly controversial.
I should explain that undocumented students normally are those who were brought to the United States as children. Since they were brought here by their parents or relatives, they had no say in their status in this country. One other important thing that must be considered—despite their undocumented status, for any of these kids to get as far as they have must be applauded. These are not bad kids. These kids have not joined gangs, do not do illicit drugs, and have over-performed in high school and therefore qualified to go to college. These are smart kids, and these are the kids we need. Would kicking these kids out of the country help our country? It is the same old tired argument that these kids “broke” the law so they “must be kicked out.” Essentially that is what this piece of legislation would do—close off academia to these bright kids.
Loudermilk makes the erroneous argument that the kids of “legal” immigrants should be “rewarded” while those who are undocumented should be “punished.” Again these undocumented students never made the choice for where they are, and kicking them out of academia would serve no purpose for them, and for this country. And of course, I thoroughly detest it when state law makers take it upon themselves to act “holier than thou” in trying to go after people who for all due purposes have done no real harm to anyone—especially undocumented kids who never made the choice of being here and are certainly no threat to society. The State of Georgia, like Arizona, Alabama and South Carolina, seem to be trying to bring themselves into serious national disrepute for finding scapegoats for many economic and social problems the state has. Let us hope this piece of legislation never goes any further than the drawing board.
Georgia’s University Discrimination
By: Daniel Nardini
I should explain that undocumented students normally are those who were brought to the United States as children. Since they were brought here by their parents or relatives, they had no say in their status in this country. One other important thing that must be considered—despite their undocumented status, for any of these kids to get as far as they have must be applauded. These are not bad kids. These kids have not joined gangs, do not do illicit drugs, and have over-performed in high school and therefore qualified to go to college. These are smart kids, and these are the kids we need. Would kicking these kids out of the country help our country? It is the same old tired argument that these kids “broke” the law so they “must be kicked out.” Essentially that is what this piece of legislation would do—close off academia to these bright kids.
Loudermilk makes the erroneous argument that the kids of “legal” immigrants should be “rewarded” while those who are undocumented should be “punished.” Again these undocumented students never made the choice for where they are, and kicking them out of academia would serve no purpose for them, and for this country. And of course, I thoroughly detest it when state law makers take it upon themselves to act “holier than thou” in trying to go after people who for all due purposes have done no real harm to anyone—especially undocumented kids who never made the choice of being here and are certainly no threat to society. The State of Georgia, like Arizona, Alabama and South Carolina, seem to be trying to bring themselves into serious national disrepute for finding scapegoats for many economic and social problems the state has. Let us hope this piece of legislation never goes any further than the drawing board.