Higher Education for Florida's Undocumented Students at Risk Again
Posted December 7, 2016 07:00 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL – A bill introduced in the Florida Senate could alter
the plans of thousands of students who have grown up in
Florida. Under the proposal by newly-elected Republican
Senator Greg Steube of Sarasota, Florida's public
colleges and universities would no
longer have to waive out-of-state fees for undocumented
students, even if they attended high school in the
state.
Julio Calderon is an Access to College organizer for the
Florida Immigrant Coalition, and one of close to 3,000
students who have benefited from the program since it
launched in 2014. He calls it "life-changing."
"Understanding that it might be taken away, it's really disappointing," he said. "We belong here and we're part of this society, and we believe that we should also be given that opportunity."
After much debate, the initial bill passed the
Legislature with bipartisan support, and was hailed at
the time by Governor Rick Scott as "historic." Steube,
however, who also opposed the legislation while serving
in the House, claims it is an issue he heard about from
many constituents on the campaign trail.
Calderon said the state has already invested in the
future of undocumented students, many of whom have spent
most of their lives in Florida.
"This is not an ask, this is something that we deserve
and this is something that we should have, because we
also pay taxes, and we help the economy," he added.
The introduction of Steube's bill drew sharp rebukes
from some lawmakers, and advocates for immigrants in the
state are concerned that this sort of debate will only
fuel fears already swirling since the election of Donald
Trump. Trump has vowed to roll back executive orders
that removed the deportation threat for millions of
undocumented immigrants.
Image and layout added by the Observer
This piece was reprinted by the Columbia County
Observer with permission or license. It may not be
reproduced in any form without permission or license
from the source.