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The Costly Ins and Outs of a Dream State

Sedona AZ (September 26, 2015) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:

childrenIn a recent public meeting our Representative Bob Thorpe informed his audience that he had written a letter to ASU president Michael Crow, insisting that in-state tuition be denied to so-called Dreamers, student brought to America as children by their undocumented Hispanic parents who were in search of honorable employment.

Thorpe demanded that no tuition reduction be given to these students, even though they had been in the country generally since childhood, had successfully graduated from public schools, had proven competence for success in higher education, and intended to develop careers that would contribute to our economy. Further, their parents had for years contributed as taxpayers to the Arizona economy,

Thorpe said that he threatened President Crow: should these determined students receive in-state tuition, Thorpe would do all in his power as a state representative to pass a bill that would force ASU to grant in-state tuition to all who applied for ASU, no matter where they lived outside Arizona. After all, he said, out-of-state applicants were American citizens, whereas the Dreamers were not.

Thorpe explained that he wanted to punish ASU for providing a lower cost education for undocumented Arizona residents, even though they had lived here most of their lives and their families had paid taxes.

booksOut-of-state applicants apply to our universities because they can afford to do so, while Dreamers do not have the funds to pay the full cost of education. Further, out-of-state applicants would likely return to their home areas after graduating, while local Dreamers would likely continue to live near their families in Arizona and contribute to the growth of our economy.

Thorpe’s vindictiveness is so mean that he is willing to deprive our state of thousands of dedicated, hard- working youths from attaining degrees and skills that advance their own and the nation’s economic success.

All out of spite, Thorpe is willing to deprive the state of thousands of future taxpayers simply because their undocumented parents had brought them to this country as children. He apparently believes in making children suffer to the sins of their parents.

Now suppose that there are some Dreamers right here in our own community. What is better for the community: that they go get an affordable education, or that they be deprived of an education?

So, who has the better character: young people who are willing to work hard to improve their lives by developing skills we need for our economy, or a legislator who is driven by spite and is willing to throw them all “under the bus”?

Raymond Spatti
Payson, AZ 85541

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