U.S. REP. Ernest Istook is in a tough position. He's waging an uphill battle against Gov. Brad Henry for the state's top job at a time when Henry has a hefty campaign chest and is popular with voters.
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Istook, R-Warr Acres, is hammering Henry over illegal immigration, saying the governor hasn't done enough and his inaction is costing taxpayers. The seven-term congressman is right that immigration is a top issue that resonates with voters. But he's wrong to target undocumented teenagers whose goal is a college education so they can be productive U.S. citizens.
Not for the first time, Istook said this week that he'll work to repeal a 2003 state law that allows undocumented students to attend state schools at in-state tuition rates and apply for state financial aid. He faults Henry for signing the bill into law, although it took a majority of legislators approving it before it landed on Henry's desk.
To qualify for the in-state rate, undocumented students must have attended school in the state for two years, have a diploma from an Oklahoma high school or a GED and confirm that they have a temporary visa or have an application for legal immigrant status as soon as possible. The students also must meet the same admissions requirements as other students at the college or university they choose to attend.
Most of the 200-plus students who have taken advantage of the law are attending community colleges. Without the in-state rate, they probably couldn't even afford that. Out-of-state rates are often double that of tuition charged to in-state students.
Immigration reform is needed. But punishing students who are seeking higher education and want to become citizens for the actions of their parents isn't the kind of immigration reform that will ultimately help our state.
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