Missouri immigration bill could require citizenship checks to enroll in college
If bill passes, illegal immigrants can't attend
By: Andrew Denney from The Maneater
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
"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.
Mizzou 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.
Mizzou sophomore Moises Aguayo, who emigrated to the United States with his parents from Mexico over a decade ago, said some immigrants might come to the United States 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.
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.
Mizzou 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.
Mizzou sophomore Moises Aguayo, who emigrated to the United States with his parents from Mexico over a decade ago, said some immigrants might come to the United States 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.
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