Illegal Imigrants Should Be Allowed to Attend Public Universities

This spring, approximately 2.8 million high school seniors will graduate from various schools around the country. Many will continue their education at college; others will join the armed forces or take another path in life. However, a group of about 65,000 students will be unable to continue on their paths due to their status as illegal immigrants (Dream). Because of their status of illegal immigrants, it is extremely difficult for them to better their way of life. Therefore, illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend public universities. Illegal immigrants are already allowed to attend our public schools from the elementary level all the way through high school. The 1982 Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe ruled that public schools are prohibited from denying immigrant students access to public schools (Plyler). The court found that undocumented children have the same right to a free public education and are obligated to attend school until they reach the age mandated by state law. Since then, many undocumented immigrants have passed through the public education system. Currently, it is believed that as many as 4.9 million undocumented students are attending public schools (Immigration). However, it is difficult to know the exact number because of their status as undocumented immigrants. One thing that is known for sure is the number will continue to rise, leaving more and more students with undecided futures after graduation. However, the ability for illegal immigrants to attend public universities has largely been left up to the states. Currently, South Carolina is the only state that prohibits illegal immigrants from attending public universities and colleges that receive state funding; although North Carolina and Alabama both prohibit undocumented people from attending community colleges (Coley). On the other end of the spectrum, nine states including California, Nebraska, and Texas all offer in-state tuition to illegal immigrants

Cited: Coley, Jill. "Colleges Ban Illegal Immigrants." The Post and Courier. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . "College Board Wants More Help for Illegal Immigrants." USA Today. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . "Dream Act Portal." DREAM Act. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . "International Admissions." University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . "Plyler vs. Doe." American Patrol. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . "Real-Time National Numbers." Immigration Counters. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. .