SORRY, FRANCE IS OFFERING A CAR IN THEIR PACKAGE...

Illegal Immigrants Get Resident Tuition (PETER PRENGAMAN, May 21, 2003, AP)

Nineteen-year-old Francisco Urenda wants to become a doctor. The state of Oregon may help him make his dream come true - even though he is an illegal immigrant.

Oregon may be about to join a growing number states that are offering cheaper, in-state college tuition rates to illegal immigrants in a move supporters say will help them become productive, taxpaying members of society. Opponents say the idea will only encourage illegal immigration. [...]

A bill pending in the Oregon Legislature would allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition as long as they graduate from an Oregon high school, have lived at least three consecutive years in the state and show they are in the process of getting legal residency.

The bill has passed the Senate and seems to have a chance in the Republican-controlled House, despite Oregon's worst budget crisis in decades.

Supported by Democrats and many Republicans, the measure reflects the growing importance of the state's Hispanic population, which has doubled in the past decade to more than 275,000 out of Oregon's 3.4 million people.

"This is about fairness," said Senate President Peter Courtney, a Democrat who introduced the bill.

Jim Moore, a political analyst, said there is more at play here than altruism: "Republicans and Democrats are trying to get the Latino community to support their parties. The Latino community is up for grabs."

Because of declining birthrates and the cost of retirements, we aren't far from the day when prospective immigrants will be able to pit Western nations against each in bidding for their services. Posted by Orrin Judd at May 21, 2003 10:33 PM