Midwest Voices

Barb Shelly

The Kansas City Star

As it does nearly every year, the Kansas Legislature spent some time this week fretting about a state law that enables some young people who are undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.

Speaking at a committee hearing in favor of repealing the privilege was none other than Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

Of course he would be there. The Republican officeholder and nationally known advocate for anti-immigrant causes cut his teeth on this issue. Fighting educational opportunities for the children of undocumented immigrants was one of the issues that propelled Kobach into high visibility.

I’ve always found that sad. Kobach, as we know, is a Yale-educated lawyer who has chosen as part of his life’s work to deprive hard-working young people of a means to achieve their dreams. Such a waste, at many levels.

Under Kansas law, students are eligible for in-state tuition if they have lived in the state for at least three years, graduated from a Kansas high school or received a GED, and pledge to become a U.S. citizen.

“Stop using taxpayer money to subsidize an illegal workforce,” Kobach told the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.

For a smart lawyer, that’s not even a logical argument. Most of the students affected by the bill can only afford to attend college at in-state rates. It’s not as though the state of Kansas is losing out-of-state tuition dollars.

One never knows with legislatures, but I doubt if the bill to repeal in-state tuition will gain much traction this year. With momentum in the national Republican party swinging toward greater acceptance of undocumented immigrants, it’s a safe bet that Gov. Sam Brownback isn’t anxious to have an anti-immigrant bill land on his desk.

For such an openly ambitious politician, Kobach seems stuck in a time warp. The man seriously needs to re-evaluate his priorities.

Comments

1. 

   George Hunsucker

   Northland

   3 months ago

   yup, we should continue treating ILLEGAL ALIENS the same as American citizens ms. shelly. Why it is the only “fair and balanced” thing to do, isn’t it?

   This in-state tuition is merely another sop by the libs to look sooooooooooooooooooooooooo caring for the poor, while we of course know they do nothing but screw them after they are returned to office…..

   Stupid is as stupid does…..

2. 

   Ed Minges

   3 months ago

   Poor Kris. He worked hard to secure his position as a national figure on suppression of the vote and bucking the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to keep illegal immigrants out of the country.

   Now he finds that the Republican Party has left him behind at the West Hangnail, Kansas train station. Kris trudges slowly along the tracks, watching the little red lantern on the caboose grow smaller and smaller and smaller….

   Thank God Brother George is there to keep him company. Bye, Kris, bye, George.

   Which we were all smart like you, George.

3. 

   Tim Shipley

   3 months ago

   Oh, George…

   I knew before even finishing the column that you would be the first with a comment, once again blaming liberals.

   Must be a lonely life you lead.

4. 

   Reginald Thornton

   3 months ago

   How nice of Ed. We all which we were smart like you too. P.S. That’s a funny way to spell “wish”.

   P.P.S. Why haven’t you and Tim responded to George’s assertion, instead of just throwing invectives at him?

5. 

   JR Beillenhouser

   2 months, 4 weeks ago

   George is a patriot calling out the propagandists. You are the drones who just following along without thinking or the ability to think.

   Must be a lonely and ignorant life you lead.

6. 

   JR Beillenhouser

   2 months, 4 weeks ago

   Barb -

   how is that story about Gosnell coming along.

   Perhaps you could call it, “Unfettered Access to Abortion Results in House of Horrors” or “Who Cares They were just Cells” or “Why What I Preach in nearly every column is a Travesty”. Take your pick, they all seem to fit.

7. 

   JR Beillenhouser

   2 months, 4 weeks ago

   http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57575640-504083/dr-kermit-gosnell-murder-trial-abortion-provider-medicated-women-based-on-their-ability-to-pay-prosecutors-allege/

   It’s great to have no oversight of abortion clinics isn’t it. Why do you guys hate women so much?

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