Latinos Collect on Jerry Brown Campaign Promise:Free College for Illegal Aliens

Vetoed twice by GOP Governor, California "Dream Act" passes Assembly Committee on Tuesday

Echo, echo: California governor Jerry Brown’s “inconvenient” 2010 campaign promise: > crickets chirping <





Remember this? California's Latino Entitlement Coalition does!

Jerry Brown: Illegal Aliens “Deserve” Free College Tuition Because “We Are a Wealthy State”

Never mind that California has a $26 billion dollar budget deficit and has just issued lay-off notices to 20,000 teachers statewide, in addition to the 30,000 teachers already axed in the past three years.

With blinders firmly in place to the economic suffering in the state,California’s Latino coalition is demanding free college tuition for illegal aliens at California taxpayer expense.

It’s not enough that illegal alien high school students already get to pay “in-state” tuition in California, when legal students from other states have to pay a much-higher rate. (that was made possible by AB 540 which was approved by the California Legislature in 2001.)

Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D- L.A.)

CalWatchDog reports that Los Angeles Latino-hate-baiter Assembly Gil Cedillo is making the final “goody grab” through AB130, the California version of the “Dream Act:” Free in-state tuition has just been approved Tuesday in the Assembly Higher Education committee for illegal alien students who have been in a California high school at least three years, along with another bill, AB131, that will let them compete with legal residents of the U.S. for private college scholarships. [ read about Gil Cedillo's radical Reconquista connections ]

“AB130 puts forth the proposition that we should recognize that there are young men and women in our universities and community colleges that were brought here through no choice of their own,” said Cedillo. “Young men and women who have learned our language, embraced our cultures, our values and made one choice: to work hard, play by the rules and be the best they can be. We are obligated to educate these young men and women. There is no law in this state and nation that says we should punish the children for the acts of the parents.

“The greatness of this nation is that you can come from very challenging circumstances, and within one generation you can transform your life through public education. It’s the great equalizer. California leads the nation in many areas of public policy, AB32 [* see editor’s note below] comes to mind. We have a chance to be very progressive about recognizing the immigrant history of this state and nation. Most importantly, to recognize a vision and dream that began with our founding fathers. This is a nation of immigrants. That is the dream and why we are here today.”

What should be a surprise, but is not a surprise due to his uber-liberal leanings, the University of California-Berserkeley Chancellor Robert Birgenau was at the committee hearing in person to endorse the freebies for illegals.

[Apparently,the esteemed educator cannot add or has short-term memory loss? Governor Brown’s budget, being voted upon this week, includes a $500 million budget cut to the UC system, a 13% overall reduction. Higher tuition fees will make up only $115 million of the gap. Did we forget about this, Bob??]

There were only 3 people at the committee hearing, out of the hundreds in attendance, who were trying to use logic and legal arguments. They were outvoted, of course, but here’s what they said:

"We're slashing the college budget, the UC and CSU system by what, $500 million," Assem. Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, said. "That means there's fewer slots available. We shouldn't be creating an incentive for more people to come here illegally to our country and use, you know, what little resources we have."

[...]

“The other vote against the bills was cast by Katcho Achadjian, R-San Luis Obispo, who was born in Lebanon to Armenian parents. He legally emigrated to the United States, “where through hard work and perseverance he was able to pursue the American Dream,” he states on his Web site. At Tuesday’s hearing, Achadjian argued that it will do little good for illegal students to graduate from college if they are not legally allowed to get a job afterwards. The focus should instead be on providing citizenship for college graduates, he said.”

[]

“Achadjian said, “If I want to make this country my home, I want to knock on every door to make sure somebody gives me an opportunity. We want you to be a part of our community. I can look at you with all sincerity, but that question does not leave me alone: Why aren’t you trying to become U.S. citizens?” The [illegal alien] students [in the crowd] were offered an opportunity to respond but declined.”

Only one person from the public , out of the 100 speakers FOR the illegal alien freebies, bravely stood in opposition. Rowena Donnelly, described as a granddaughter of legal immigrants and wife of Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (a NO vote on the committee):

“You talked about us being a nation of immigrants — you left out that we are also a nation of laws,” said Donnelly to Cedillo. “The problem with AB130 is you are looking to set a precedent that will become an incentive for more people to come here illegally. I’m a huge proponent of legal immigration. With the budget cuts, we are shrinking the number of spots available (in state colleges). The cuts haven’t even started yet we have $5.5 billion worth of cuts. That means (openings) won’t be available for citizens or members of the military. Using taxpayer funds to essentially cheat citizens of an opportunity at the colleges at a time when that is most needed — people need to be trained for new jobs — I don’t see how this is an appropriate use of funds. Even though the cause may tug at our heart strings.”

Tugging on heart strings? Oh, it is so much more cheesy than that!

Testimony at hearings or rallies involving entitlements for illegals are typically an extreme maudlin bad theatre, but the cheese pleases in Sacramento, the house where “your dollars become OUR dollars.”**

[Apparently illegal alien] student Anna Gomez, who has already received a UC-Berkeley education, feels she is still “oppressed” and depressed because California taxpayers could be giving her EVEN MORE:

“She told the committee that she has had to put on hold her plan to attend law school “because of financial difficulties.[Financial aid] would make such a huge difference in the lives of so many people and stop so many people from living a life of despair, and give them a chance to study and hope that they can attend university.”

[]

“UCLA Vice Chancellor Scott Waugh said that these students have it tougher than other students: “Many overcome everyday obstacles, some have long bus commutes, others sleep on friends’ couches.” ***

As usual, boring details such as legality of the free-for-all in the Sacramento legislature are not discussed. Incredibly, last November theCalifornia Supreme Court unanimously upheld the legality of AB540, overturning a lower court ruling. If the “California Dream Act” is passed and signed by the governor, it will no doubt be challenged upstream, as it directly conflicts with U.S. immigration policy.

[[[ UNCOVERAGE.net takes “no position” on AB 131: If private colleges which accept donations from their alumni want to throw away scholarships on illegal aliens (assuming the donor patrons don’t mind) go right ahead. AB 130, involving public grants to illegal alien students, should be vigorously opposed by law-abiding California taxpayers. ]]]

UPDATE: Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom sends letter in support of passing the "Dream Act."

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*UNCOVERAGE.net Editor’s note: AB32 is California’s first-in-the-nation “cap and trade” law, which is predicted by the state’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office to be a jobs and business-killer of unprecedented scope. Yes, California is a"trail-blazer" when it comes to scaring away business and tax-base.

** with apologies to the originator of “mi casa es su casa.”

***OH THE HUMANITY!! Illegal Mexican studentsforced to take aBUS to class and sleep on a couch!


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