Comments on: Regents approve undocumented immigrant policy

By: Autumn Winchester

Autumn Winchester — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 14:35:04 +0000

I would like to attend Hawaii Community College

By: frank

frank — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:26:16 +0000

In reply to Ana. you are right

By: anonvmous

anonvmous — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 04:02:04 +0000

Hey All,
I know that this comment section has been filled up with lots of high brow, often ill-informed moral blather and I would like to change the tone a bit. Heres my story.My husband was brought to America when he was a young child. He went to middle school and graduated high school. Hes never been in trouble with the law and has made a living working the trade that his family always has. His family has always been too poor to pay the exorbitant lawyer fees to become a citizen (including actual travel back to his home country to finish the process) until recently when they passed the ammended dreamer act. He has always wanted to go college because he is a talented artist and muscian. We have lived in Hawaii for 4 years, but because his parents decided to bring him to the US he couldnt afford quality education. He couldnt afford it in the state we lived in before either because they also require out of state tuition for undocumented students. So, heres a man who has been denied equal access to affordable tuition for reasons completely beyond his control. We are very grateful for this opportunity to send him to school now that its actually possible for us to pay for it on our meager paychecks. We are the people this bill affects.I am a graduate of �鶹��ýmyself and I paid out of state tuiton because i did not live in Hawaii for a year before I applied to school. Why is it fair for him to pay out of state when, besides his undocumented status, he has done everything neccesary to be considered a resident? They are not just letting people come swooping in from the blue to get this special tuiton rate. They still have requirements that you prove that you otherwise are considered a resident for tuitons purposes! He is looking into the application process right now and I am helping him do so. He came upon this blog and was shocked to see the xenophobic anger that he perceives as directed towards him. HE HASNT BROKEN THE LAW. But now hes an adult and he has to pay for their actions. Its hard to make a good living to pay for a lawyer if you cant afford to go to school which will give you a better chance at getting a good job. If you have read this far, I hope you can forget about the lofty ideals being tossed around and focus on the effect this makes on our lives. I can’t wait to see him finally be able to succeed!!

Sincerely,
anonvmous

By: e

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:25:19 +0000

Jessica,
The simple explanation is not helpful.
If I do not have documentation as a citizen/resident of this ʻstateʻ, I cannot receive in-state tuition. Period.
Even though, my whole family has served in the U.S. military throughout their lives. That being said, I would NOT even advocate for military families to be exempt. Aboriginal Hawaiians-ABSOLUTELY YES. In fact, they should be exempt from ANY payment.
The rule is discretionary.
BTW, who said it is a small group of people anyway?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 08:50:26 +0000

In reply to e. Hi E, I am a resident of Hawaii. I pay taxes here and have been paying tuition at �鶹��ýfor several years. I am not a "BOR" person, but am an advocate for this policy. Similar initiatives have been passed in several states, providing for access to education. I am not here to bicker or belittle anyone in the discussion. I do not understand how providing access to education to a small group of people is hurting anyone. These young people are already contributing to Hawaii and will continue to. They're not being exempt from tuition. They simply get to pay the in-state rate.

By: e

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:26:27 +0000

In reply to Kristina. Good substantive argument, Kristina. Thank you.

By: e

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:24:23 +0000

Well, thank you for dismissing our concerns as “myths”.
I get the impression that discussion/debate is not welcome here and therefore it is no wonder that the board will do as ʻthey think bestʻ for all concerned; which, by the way, are tuition paying students, that have residency, that pay taxes, that are U.S. citizens.

The recent comments appear to be a collection of BOR people or advocates for this unfair proposal. I will stand by my conviction that it is unfair and so far, none of you, including the little ʻarticleʻ you tout have provided an intelligent response to concerns.

By: Sue H.

Sue H. — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:21:26 +0000

I commend the Board of Regents for approving a fair policy for undocumented youth who attend our Hawaii schools and giving them an opportunity to access higher education via in-state tuition. I respect the comments posted by all, but please read this report to really understand the facts and not the myths that have been expressed. http://www.e4fc.org/images/E4FC_TheCase.pdf

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:12:28 +0000

From the report The Case for Undocumented Students in Higher Education found here: http://www.e4fc.org/images/E4FC_TheCase.pdf "Undocumented students in higher education are not seeking handouts or entitlements. On the contrary, they just want the same opportunities as other students who have also earned them by studying hard and preparing themselves for college. Despite facing unique financial obstacles in pursuit of a college degree unlike their American citizen peers, they remain resilient. Helping them pursue their dreams of a higher education proves that the United States is still a country that values hard work and rewards that hard work with earned opportunities." This policy is not about blocking anyone else's access to higher education. The policy is simply helping undocumented students (who are undocumented for a variety of reasons) get access to in state tuition. �鶹��ýused to provide similar assistance to students from certain Pacific Islands, which would be great to re-establish as well, but this policy is a good step in the right direction. Any efforts that go towards opening up higher education to be accessed by more people is a good thing. Please read the policy and educate yourself on the issues.

By: Jacoby

Jacoby — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:50:22 +0000

In reply to Lina. Fully agreed! This is excellent news for many of the students of the future. Never mind the anti-immigrant noise on the rest of this board. Let those who want to take advantage of higher education take it.