Source: Boston Metro (printed 7/17/08)
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In the Boston Metro on July 17th, there was an article by Mark Puleo titled “Media Reaction Could Derail Education Plan”. A synopsis:

When Governor Deval Patrick recently unveiled his new Education Action Agenda, media did not focus on the new achievement standards for students contained within the 44-page report, but rather on the 44 words supporting in-state tuition rates for undocumented immigrants. Illegal immigrants make for splashy headlines, but reorganizing public education in Massachusetts apparently is a yawn.

Puleo goes on to state that such a decree supporting in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants is already in the books in Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas. Clearly, Puleo does not approve of the media paying so much attention to the illegal immigrant section as compared to the rest of the plan which could do quite a bit for Massachusetts. Puelo also states:

…[S]ince the immigration debate has become so frenzied, change appears near impossible with an uncooperative legislature and a local media intent on hysteria. Worse, the mere mention of the issue has aroused passions could derail the entire package.

I agree with Puleo on this, and will also continue on to state that undocumented immigrants should be granted in-state tuition rates. A ruling like this would mostly apply to the children of these illegal immigrants, “many of whom were brought here when they were toddlers,” according to Puleo. Why should we penalize the children of illegal immigrants by forcing them to pay more for their education? What makes the inherent innocence of a child of an illegal immigrant any different than the inherent innocence of a child of rape or a child out of wedlock? I think they deserve to pay normal fees as they intend to go to college and learn in order to gain an education so they can contribute back to our community. We need not be so scared of illegal immigrants and their children: they’re usually here to make a difference for their families, not to cause trouble to us. The media need not make a big fuss about it, and they need to let it through the legislature without quibbling about a little 44 word section in a 44 page report. What about all the other text in the proposal?