In writing last week about the NC Community College System admitting illegal immigrants, I wrote:
I expect this will renew a push for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. If you don’t need proper documentation to be enrolled at a public community college in N.C., it will be horrible! unfair! racist! what-have-you to be forced — forced! — to pay out-of-state tuition.
Joining the state’s community colleges in the debate over how to treat illegal immigrants who seek college educations, the University of North Carolina system will study the costs and benefits of offering in-state tuition to undocumented residents at its 16 university campuses.
In-state tuition would save illegal immigrants who attend college thousands of dollars a year, putting higher education within the reach of many who cannot afford it now. In-state tuition rates range from $1,500 to $3,700, compared with $10,000 to $20,000 for out-of-state students.
Would that one reporter had the wisdom of journalist and economist Henry Hazlitt — all programs have benefits and costs; it is misleading to base news coverage of a program solely on who benefits without discussing who doesn’t. Of course charging in-state tuition to illegal immigrants instead of out-of-state rates makes it more affordable for them. But what about others? UNC schools only admit but so many students — if those slots are filled by the “undocumented” community, who isn’t getting in? How about students from legal, tax-paying families in this state. Is it fair to them to tell them to go elsewhere?
What other costs are being overlooked? It’s clear who benefits; who else is harmed?
