tuitionequity

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What is Tuition Equity?

Currently in the state of North Carolina, undocumented or dacamented students do not have access to in-state tuition or financial aid. Undocumented daca students come to the United States in search of a better and safer future, although do not have a legal status to protect them. Therefore, they are forced to pay out-of-state tuition and have no access to financial aid.  The goal of tuition equity is to grant access to in-state tuition and aid for undocumented and dacamented students regardless of their legal status.

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Opposing side

The opposing side of tuition equity see’s what would be best for the safety of American citizens and the economy. Many politicians who don’t support tuition equity originally don’t support immigration or believe in very strict policies for it. These policies may range from completing abolishing the DACA program which helps eliminate many barriers for undocumented youth. Rather they see it as unfair to americans’ similar to how they see in-state tuition would be unfair to citizens too.

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We must enforce the laws we have on the books, secure our borders, and deny special benefits to illegal immigrants such as in-state tuition rates. This approach is best for American citizens and is fair to those who have taken the time and effort to go through the legal immigration process.

Ron DeSantis

The quote by a prominent politician states his views of immigration in the United States which reveals how he also believes in what would build barriers to undocumented students, such as access to in-state tuition. He believes in providing the best primarily for American Citizens in an fair form.

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As frustrating as that may be to those who want to see DACA totally wiped off the books, and every one of its beneficiaries given a one-way bus ticket across the border, letting Congress decide what to do about the ‘Dreamers’ is exactly what ought to happen.

Joel B. Pollack

This individual fully supports President Trumps decision to end the DACA program which helps undocumented students gain access to many new things. This shows the views which may stand for many republican and is also currently the majority political party in many states.

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Middle Voice

The artifacts below view both sides and their perspectives on whether why tuition equity should be granted to undocumented students or not. Usually the opposing or supportive side supports their own view for personal reasons and what would be best for the economy. While the middle voice provides substantial facts on the issue, instead of a biased or non-evidenced based fact. 

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This map shows all the states and the policy they follow for tuition equity offered to Undocumented or Dacamented students. Several states offer financial aid or in-state tuition, although many also don’t at all which shows how providing in-state or out-of-state tuition can be beneficial or not.

(United We Dream/2014)

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This article shows the different perspectives on immigration and how it affects citizens of the United States. It also defies the misconceptions of immigration and provides evidence bases facts.

(U.S Chamber of Commerce)

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This article shows the history of immigration in the United States and how it has affected the U.S negatively and positively. Similar to how Daca/Undocumented students receiving tution equity will impact the U.S in many ways. 

(Newsela/2017)

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Supportive Side

Individuals who support and fight for tuition equity range from teachers, citizens, undocumented/dacamented students themselves, and politicians. Their advocacy and activism may involve speaking to representatives, expression in art, and awareness through news and unity walks/marches. Often their support may stem from personal experiences with undocumented/dacamented students or individuals or simply being affected as a undocumented student. In lobbying events, advocates and individuals affected are able to use their own personal stories, which has been proven beneficial from many politicians as they change their opposing views.

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A teacher and advocate himself, acknowledges the privileges undocumented/dacamented students don’t have when applying for or attending college. Smith expresses his emotions and speaks up for these students in his poetry.

(Upworthy/2014)

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~“My parents were able to achieve the American dream, in which they have passed on a better life for me and my children than one that they had for themselves,” he said. “Today you all represent the great potential of the American dream. You are America, and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise—whether it’s the president or members of this legislative body.”~

Senator Jay Chaudhuri, a Raleigh Democrat and a sponsor of the Tuition equity bill spoke to a few of the estimated 42,000 undocumented students in NC. These students are in Raleigh lobbying for the tuition equity bill and wear cap and gowns at an event called, “Undocugraduation”.

(indyweek, Hellerstein, 2017)

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One of the many DACA students in Greensboro who can not pay in-state tuition because of their legal status, even if they have attended school in NC their entire life. Students in NC have to work harder to find scholarships since they also don’t have access to financial aid to help pay off the high funds.

(Fox 8 News/2017)

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Conclusion

   The debate about whether the tuition equity bill should be passed or not is a difficult topic where both sides definitely need to be looked at in a fair manner. For example, the opposing side reinforces the idea of, “Homeland Security”. It’s definite that the safety of the country is a top priority and who is entering the country is an issue that needs to be observed. The opposing side also considers fairness when compared to individuals who completely went through the legal immigration process. The legal immigration process also evaluates the safety brought into the country, which is important to many politicians today.  

    On the other hand, the supporting side also considers fairness to a great degree. Which is where both sides can relate and resolve the issue together because it play a role for the both of them. Fairness is highly emphasized as many of the undocumented students have been living in the state their entire life. Similar to other documented students, although they are able to receive in-state tuition because of their legal status. It is common to hear an undocumented students state, “I’m just as American as you are”, which is true because the U.S is the only home they’ve ever had.             

In result, both sides are capable to resolve, collaborate for the tuition equity bill issue and seek to understand each other better through their commonalities. For example, fairness, the opposing side may see many unequal details, although undocumented students surely are experiencing them at hand and have been their entire life. Regardless of their differences, opposing sides must listen to each others perspectives to resolve an issue that will serve both sides, such the safety of America and fairness to the Americans’, citizen or not.