Let's Not Yank College from Them

Yanking education away from many of our youth might not be the best thing legislators achieve this year.

I understand the logic behind HB 191. These children were not born in the U.S., and never since moving here have they established legal residency. Their parents are not paying taxes. So, why should they get instate tuition rates?

I would remind you, though, that they are not legal residents only because we do not allow them to be legal residents. The same is true as to why they don't pay taxes. We don't let them. Feeling justified for punishing someone for not doing what you won't allow them to do is circular reasoning.

And, circular reasoning -- for those who studied that in their own higher education -- is a fallacy of logic.

We have a chance to treat people right. Further oppressing the oppressed, I hope, is not what we will choose to do. These are good people. Many of their parents came here wanting no more than to work, seeking to earn their way by the sweat of their brow. Somehow, though, that has offended us. (Yes, I know they came without paperwork, and that is, indeed, a wrong.) Still, if all our people were so inclined -- wanting no more than to work and willing to move to another country to get it -- we would be better served. We would be a better society and a better country.

Now, their children want to go to college. And, again, we are offended. No, it doesn't make sense, to me.

Please, legislators, do not do this. If you want to right a wrong, instead change Utah Code 53B-8-102 to allows a resident to be what the dictionary says it really is, someone who lives here.