Immigration bill could require citizenship checks to enroll
April 1, 2008
A bill that would prohibit the enrollment of illegal immigrants in Missouri colleges and universities was sent to the Missouri Senate last week after passing in the House of Representatives earlier this month.
The bill, if passed in the Senate, would require the registrar of each institution to annually certify they have not knowingly admitted a student that is an illegal immigrant.
Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Ann Korschgen said the current language of the bill — which would include students that have been admitted by the university but have not yet enrolled for classes — would complicate the admissions process if it is passed.
“We would have to spend an inordinate amount of time determining whether or not they have citizenship,” Korschgen said.
MU Admissions Director Barbara Rupp testified on the bill before it reached a vote in the House to change the language of bill to pertain to enrolled students.
State Rep. Jerry Nolte, R-Gladstone, the bill’s sponsor, said in a March 13 news release that the bill would put a preexisting federal statute into state law, and said there are concerns about the use of taxpayers’ money in higher education that might be used educate illegal immigrants.
“We’re accountable to the people of this state to spend their tax dollars primarily to educate Missouri students and those lawfully present,” Nolte said. “We need to focus on Missouri families trying to educate their children. According to federal law it is illegal for a person not legally in the United States to enroll in a college or university. While we are obligated to educate children K-12 regardless of legal status, there is no requirement to provide post-secondary education.”
State Rep. Edward Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, who voted against the measure, said Missouri colleges and universities have not complained about illegal immigrants in their institutions and that descendents of immigrants shouldn’t be punished for the crimes of their parents.
“I can see punishing the parents who break the law,” Wildberger said. “But I just can’t understand punishing the children.”
Wildberger said there is considerable public sentiment against illegal immigration, and enforcement of immigration laws should fall on employers who hire illegal immigrants and “treat people like slaves.”
Wildberger proposed an amendment to the bill that would have exempted community colleges from the bill, but it was voted down 102-46. The bill passed the House 112-39 and has not yet been placed on a calendar for deliberation in the Senate.
MU spokesman Christian Basi said the university has not knowingly admitted any students that do not have valid U.S. citizenship or documentation required of international students.
Basi said the university does not anticipate the bill would have any impact on international students who provide proper documentation.
MU sophomore Moises Aguayo, who emigrated to the U.S. with his parents from Mexico over a decade ago, said some immigrants might come to the U.S. in search of an education for themselves or their children, and laws hindering access to education might convince immigrants to go to other states.
Bills to prohibit illegal immigrants from attending Missouri colleges and universities have been proposed in the past two sessions, and both measures stalled in the Senate. Nolte also sponsored those bills.
The bill was one of more than a dozen bills proposed during this session by both Democrats and Republicans in both houses regarding illegal immigration issues.
Ten states, including Illinois, Kansas and Nebraska, currently allow — under certain conditions — illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition.
More April 1, 2008 News Stories
- Chess Association sees bright future — The Missouri Chess Association prepares members for multiple tournaments throughout the year.
- Library deficits deepen — Despite attempts to eliminate budget deficits, MU Libraries’ financial woes could lead to a new student fee in the near ...
- Colleges to vote again for senators — The BEC invalidated results in four of 11 schools and colleges.
- MU student in critical condition — An MU senior was struck by a vehicle on late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning in Panama City Beach, ...
- Voters to elect new LBC executive board — Voting is today until 5 p.m. at Brady Commons and the Black Culture Center.
Most recent News Stories
- KCOU's future uncertain because of lack of funds — The station needs funds to replace its radio tower and move its offices.
- Campus organizations work to register students to vote — Since June, ASUM has registered more than 1,500 students.
- MU aims to increase faculty salaries — As of 2006, MU ranks 33 of 34 for faculty pay in the public division of the AAU.
- STRIPES age-requirement initiative waits on signatures — The organization is also celebrating its seventh anniversary.
- MU takes Cyber Security Awareness Month seriously — The Division of IT offers free software and security tips.