Double negative, last sentence.

Lessee....you're here illegally and not only are you not arrested and deported, but you might actually get a break on college tuition? That sounds so fair! And it's not like it'll encourage more illegal immigration or anything.

:/

Unfortunately, the situation is a bit more complex.

First of all, Orrin Hatch is sponsoring the DREAM Act, which would be a national version of the Mass. law.

That link discusses a 1996 fed law that forbids states from giving benefits to illegals if they don't provide them to citizens. Meaning that if Mass offers discounted educations to illegals, they have to offer them to every citizen in the U.S.

The problem is that apparently only the DHS has standing to sue over violations.

And, the DHS might do nothing.

Jay:

Why do you think immigration officers were a no show? Thats a pretty good question right there. I mean, hell, they knew what was going on, so why didnt they crack down? Hmmm.

Maybe, indeed, there are more people who are responsible for this whole issue than just the immigrants. Thats what it sounds like to me.

If enforcement isnt enforcing, and politicians are pushing for actions that aid immigrants, then maybe we have something else going on here besides the so-called "invasion" of immigrants. Sounds to me like many Americans are making room for these people, inviting them. But no, that COULDN'T be whats happening.

This issue is so full of contradictions it's unreal. We invite these people in and try to kick them out at the very same time. Different Americans take different roles in the process.

Just a simple law or rule that says that no college that gives any sort of preferential treatment to illegal aliens is ineligible for federal funding would work miracles...

Should read:

Just a simple law or rule that says no college which gives any sort of preferential treatment to illegal aliens is ELIGIBLE for federal funding...

Right?

About the legislation, illegal aliens are not by their nature legally in the Country, are not (mostly, probably to a near one-hundred percentile) goal oriented toward citizenship (otherwise, they're anticipating amnesty), and to my view and to most among U.S. citizens, from what I've read, no one among us citizens wants so much as a penny going to anyone who is in the country illegally. I still don't understand the preposterous presumption here: arrive in our country illegally, use illegal pretenses to remain here and then demand (more) free stuff including discounts for goods and services that even citizens do not receive.

No amnesty for illegals and no guest worker programs (I do not support Bush on this issue) until and only after there's enforcement for the illegal aliens here now and effective punishment for those who employ them. Unfortunately, many who donate large amounts to both political parties (the GOP is certainly involved here, is my point, and not even shy about it, while I expect the DNC to behave this way, I don't expect the GOP to, and thus, find it even more offensive that the GOP is) are those who are responsible for the problem of employing illegal aliens and therein the problem lies.

The country could easily establish some workable process by which job applicants could be verified as to SS#s and those using false identification could be easily identified and punished if not deported afterward. Instead, those who employ illegals get helps and encouragements from the federal government (Bush, specifically) and it is an embarrassment to our concerns of national security and the idea of citizenship.

All I know is every school and job I've ever applied to and for has been incredibly particular and highly specific as to my ability to substantiate who I was, what my information and references were, and all the rest. It is not a difficult thing to do when there's dedication to the truth and accuracy, is my point, to establish a person's credibility, or lack of it.

We need an effective penalty for commerce who employs illegal aliens, the means to identify them and penalties for those here illegally in the country. All that combined with increased and effective border security (no catch&release for anyone of illegal status, no admittance otherwise) and the problem would be self correcting.

AND, I think it should be mandatory that anyone who seeks access to the country first be evaluated as to whether or not they comprehend the distinction between "immigrant" and "illegal alien" along with a health screening. They fail any of those comprehension and status evaluations, they don't gain access. If they do gain access and are identified afterward, they are deported. Until such effective measures are in place, some will continue to ridicule the nation's immigration requirements and disdain citizenship -- "if these don't matter so much at points of entry to the country, then the country must not value them,which, I believe, is the going perception by illegal aliens now here and continuing to arrive. And that's, perhaps, what also emboldens so many to then demand even more from a country they perceive is so lax on respect for laws and citizenship.

"Immigrant" and "illegal alien" are two, distinct concerns and areas of human behavior and they really need to be required as to comprehension of issue for anyone who is present in the country at this time; at least, who is adult and mentally competent.

Why do you think immigration officers were a no show? Thats a pretty good question right there.

Here's what Our Leader said a week ago: "we got people sneaking into our country to work. They want to provide for their families. Family values do not stop at the Rio Grande River. People are coming to put food on the table."

He hires the people who lead the DHS and other agencies responsible for immigration. And, those leaders tell those on the front lines what to do.

Those on the front lines would like to go out and round up those illegals, but a) they don't have the manpower, and b) they don't have the authorization.

One can see an example of that by looking into the Temecula incident.

If enforcement isnt enforcing, and politicians are pushing for actions that aid immigrants, then maybe we have something else going on here besides the so-called "invasion" of immigrants. Sounds to me like many Americans are making room for these people, inviting them.

Well, duh. Those companies that profit off illegal labor are in effect inviting them in by offering jobs. And, banks are inviting them in by taking Mexico's Cracker Jack ID card. And, racial demagogues invite them in by trying to give them benefits.

And, those corrupt businesses then give money to politicians to get them to do what they want. It's corruption, but mostly of the legal kind.