Oppose SB318 - subsidized in-state college tuition to Illegal Aliens

Message from Numbers USA:

On Monday, April 4th, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB 318, Sen. Gary Siplin’s attempt to give illegal aliens access to subsidized in-state tuition rates. It now moves on to the Higher Education Committee, where Sen. Siplin sits as a member.

Members of that committee need to hear that Floridians do not want their tax dollars to subsidize the education of people who cannot legally work in the U.S.

Please call and email the Higher Education Committee members noted below. Talking points are provided. If your Senator serves on the committee, you also will find a fax to send on your Action Board.

Senate Higher Education Committee

Chairman Steve Oelrich (R) 850-487-5020 oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov
Vice Chairman Gary Siplin (D; bill sponsor) 850-487-5190 siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R) 850-487-5033 lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Joe Negron (R) 850-487-5088 negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Maria Lorts Sachs (D) 850-487-5091 sachs.maria.web@flsenate.gov

Please oppose SB 318, a bill to give illegal aliens access to in-state tuition rates. At a time when the state faces budgetary problems and American students face tuition and fee increases, SB 318 makes no sense.

In-state tuition fees are highly subsidized by state taxpayers. Under SB 318, Florida taxpayers would be on the hook for huge subsidies.

Even if illegal-alien students get a college degree, they are still in the country illegally and cannot legally obtain employment. That means that Florida taxpayers will have underwritten the education of someone who can’t use their degree legally in the U.S.

Slots at Florida universities and colleges should be reserved for citizens, military families stationed here and legal foreign students. For every illegal alien admitted to a college, an American student or legal resident is turned away.

SB 318 would violate federal law. The Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 prohibits states from offering a benefit to illegal aliens that U.S. citizens from another state can’t receive.

Please oppose SB 318. Taxpayers and legal students will thank you.

Numbers USA