Colorado Gov Blames Feds for Border Mess, Backs Illegal Tuition
Colorado Governor Jared Polis defended extending in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, blaming federal immigration failures and arguing the policy benefits his state economically.
During a Saturday appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends,” the Democratic governor claimed that his state’s approach is necessary because federal authorities have failed to secure the border and implement comprehensive immigration reform, according to Breitbart News.
Jared Polis pointed to Texas as the first state to implement such a policy, noting it had been in place for 25 years before being struck down in court. He argued that both Republican and Democratic states have adopted similar measures to deal with young people who grew up in their jurisdictions.
The governor contended that Colorado’s eligibility requirements mandate that recipients must have attended high school in the state for three years and be considered state residents, regardless of immigration status or whether they are green card holders.
Federal Failure Cited as Justification
Polis laid blame squarely at the feet of Washington, claiming federal inaction on border security and immigration reform has forced states to craft their own solutions. He referenced the stalled DREAM Act as an example of congressional gridlock on the issue.
The governor emphasized that illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition rates remain ineligible for federal financial assistance programs including Pell Grants and student loans. This means they must cover the approximately $15,000 annual cost without government aid packages available to American citizens.
Economic Argument for Illegal Immigrant Education
Polis framed the policy as an economic investment, suggesting that Colorado benefits from educating individuals with potential to become engineers and contribute to the state’s development. He claimed these students are likely to remain in Colorado throughout their careers, making their education beneficial to state interests.
The remarks come as immigration policy remains a contentious issue nationwide, with conservative critics arguing that providing taxpayer-subsidized benefits to illegal immigrants undermines the rule of law and creates incentives for continued illegal entry.
With information from Breitbart News
