A measure that would set a reasonable college tuition rate for Colorado kids without legal status cleared a big hurdle Monday, but its most difficult test is yet to come.
We were glad to see the Colorado House education committee vote 7-6 Monday to create a reduced tuition rate for illegal immigrants.
The “standard rate” would be higher than in-state tuition, but far lower than tuition charged to out-of-state students.
The bill, however, may face a rougher time at its next stops in the legislative process, the House appropriations and finance committees, which are Republican-controlled.
We urge its members to give the bill a chance. After all, their role on these fiscal committees is to consider the monetary impact of the legislation — not the politics. And the bill is not going to cost taxpayers anything.
The ASSET bill, as it is called, faces opposition from many statehouse Republicans and at least one on appropriations and one on finance would have to vote for the measure in order for it to reach the House floor.
At least one appropriations member, chair Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, may be rethinking his position, according to a CBS4 report. He said he is undecided.
“It’s hard to look at those students and say ‘no’ without some concrete reason as to why I’m saying that,” Becker said.
We urge Becker, as well as other appropriations and finance members, to give the measure a chance, give these kids a chance.
Ultimately, we hope the House will approve it as the Senate has done. It’s a compassionate measure for high school students who lack legal status but have ambition.
If and when there is immigration reform that includes a path to legal status, these are the young people Colorado wants — and needs.
Let’s be clear about who they are. By and large, these are kids who have been in this country for most of their lives and have been educated in Colorado’s K-12 system.
The bill requires that they have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, have gotten a high school degree, and are in the process of applying for legal status.
To be sure, these young people could hit another dead end after college if Congress hasn’t changed immigration laws. They may find themselves unable to legally get a job.
But the measure is not a risk for taxpayers — it will not cost them anything. That’s because those without legal status wouldn’t get the state-funded tuition subsidy that in-state students get. Yet, they wouldn’t be on the hook for very high, non-resident rates.
ASSET is not a handout. It’s not back-door legal status. And no one has made a credible argument that it will be a magnet that draws illegal residents to Colorado. It’s simply a ray of hope for smart young people in a very difficult situation.
