PVCC Puma Press: April 2006

While national immigration reforms continue to hit roadblocks in Washington, legislators at the state level are pressing forward trying to reach a resolution. This time, state senators are taking the debate to school.

In the wake of massive protests across the country, some Arizona state senators are floating a bill that could shake the foundations of education currently provided to undocumented immigrants.

Pending voter approval, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1031 will prohibit undocumented adults from taking any classes offered by the Arizona Department of Education and will prevent undocumented children from attending public schools or receiving economic assistance from the state.

“We do not want to spend tax money on people who are not legal, when we have legal citizens waiting to get into school,” Republican Senator Robert Blendu, a sponsor of the bill, told the Puma Press. “Our responsibility is to the taxpayers.”

On campus, the bill has gained support from some of the student population.“The constitution doesn’t protect the rights of non-citizens,” says political science major Rachel Stewart. “These people are coming here illegally. They don’t even have the right to assemble,” she adds about the recent protests.

Charl Naude, another PVCC student, agrees. “Immigrants shouldn’t have the right to attend college without legal status.”

Both students say they would vote for Senate Concurrent Resolution 1031.

Just weeks after protesters filled the streets waving American flags under the roar of helicopter escorts, Resolution 1031 continued through the Arizona legislative process. It caught little attention from the Latino or student population, except for a few forwarded emails.

If Resolution 1031 gains attention on campuses around the state, the next round of protests may take place on the grounds of colleges and universities in Arizona. Nevertheless, the bill has gained the support of four prominent senators in the Republican-controlled legislature. Staying under the radar may be the best way to sneak this bill through.

Reyes Medrano, a business professor and representative of the Faculty Executive Council for MCCD, is troubled by the bill and has circulated an email throughout the district. “We oppose any bill that goes against educating people,” Medrano says. “It doesn’t do any good to keep someone uneducated.”

Medrano adds that education is a crucial aspect of assimilation into U.S. society. Learning the language, history and social structure of a country is a crucial part of becoming a productive citizen.

“These are very telling times,” Medrano says. “The actions of our leaders are going to have a great impact on society.”

Senator Blendu encourages immigration through legal channels, saying the problems facing an undocumented worker often aren’t worth the dangerous trip across the border. “What are the advantages of coming here and living in the shadows, compared to the benefits of becoming a citizen?” Blendu asks.

“It’s convenient for us to have illegal immigrants,” says Norma Chandler, Career Services Coordinator at PVCC. “Employers have cheap labor without having to pay employment tax, Social Security or workman’s comp. Illegal immigrants supply the work, and the only benefit they have is that their children are educated in America.” She says unscrupulous employers are taking advantage of undocumented workers.

“I hate the thought of denying someone education,” Chandler adds. “It’s inhumane, like denying food or water.”

Currently, undocumented aliens are able to sign up for college courses if they become residents of Maricopa County within a year, but they are ineligible for any kind of financial aid.

If voters pass SCR 1031, all levels of education will be denied to undocumented immigrants. Children of undocumented immigrants will be stripped of any assistance from the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Medrano says the MCCD Faculty Executive Council is taking a stance against Resolution 1031 and will continue to oppose any legislation it thinks will “hinder education in any way.”

“The problem is that these laws are bandages for something far greater than education,” Chandler says. “Education is a low blow. Keeping education unattainable to oppressed people assures that they remain oppressed.”