SB 107 is scheduled to be heard in the House Higher Education Committee tomorrow, March 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM. This is the same committee that passed out HB 120, the “lower tuition for illegal aliens than Americans” bill that has not yet seen a floor vote.
We suggest changes to SB 107.
Our antenna go up when we see an op-ed embedded in proposed law. SB 107 from Senator Brian Strickland and his cosponsors is a prime example. Generally, the bill is aimed at providing no cost postsecondary education (*USG (urging language)& TCSG) to young people who have been adopted or are/were in foster care in Georgia. No tuition, no fees.
Here is a sample of the op-ed language in SB 107 – starting on line 15 (LC 49 0418S (SCS))
SECTION 1.
“Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to postsecondary education grants for foster children and adopted children, is amended by repealing CodeSection20-3-660, relating to program of grants created, terms and conditions, applications, eligibility, duties of the Division of Family and Children Services, expenses and fees covered, and report by the Education Coordinating Council, and enacting a new Code Section 20-3-660 to read as follows:
(a) It is the policy of the General Assembly that resources of this state should be committed to support benefits and positive outcomes for youth who age out of foster care.
A postsecondary education can benefit these youth, many of whom who have come from places of great disadvantage; however, too few have been able to realize the benefit.
Therefore, the General Assembly establishes this program to support as many of these youth as possible in realizing the benefits of postsecondary education. The General Assembly urges and recommends that the Board of Regents adopt substantially similar tuition waiver programs for these youth to realize the benefits of postsecondary education in the University System of Georgia.”
End on line 30.
Georgia ranks number seven in states with its illegal alien population. We are home to more illegal aliens than Arizona – and more illegals than green card holders. We are an illegal alien destination because the state laws put in place to make us inhospitable to illegal immigration are largely ignored by the Republicans in power and because along with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce runs most policy decisions under the Gold Dome.
Many of whom are destined to become Georgia residents and likely under foster care, unaccompanied alien children (UACs) are streaming over the southern border as I type because the Democrats are essentially open borders radicals and are fortifying their future voter rolls. It is important to note that last year’s “children in cages” is now “temporary shelters for migrant children…” under Biden.
Here is a blurb from the WaPo on the swelling crisis that ‘isn’t a crisis:’
Washington Post
March 13, 2021
Biden will deploy FEMA to care for teenagers and children crossing border in record numbers
“The Biden administration is deploying the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Mexican border to help care for thousands of unaccompanied migrant teens and children who are arriving in overwhelming numbers and being packed into detention cells and tent shelters, the Department of Homeland Security said Saturday evening.
The deployment marks another escalation in the administration’s response to the growing crisis at the border. It is part of what DHS said would be a 90-day government-wide effort at the border, where an unprecedented number of minors are arriving without their parents each day and must be sheltered and cared for until they can be placed with a vetted sponsor, usually a parent or relative already living in the United States.” Here.
And:
noqreport.com
Biden’s border crisis: 2021 on pace for more unaccompanied children than Trump’s four years combined
“2019 was the worst year on record for UACs (Unaccompanied Alien Children). At the pace that UACs are flooding across the border today, the Biden administration will blow that number out of the water. In fact, he’s on pace for TRIPLING the worst year ever.” Here
Already passed in the Republican-controlled senate, SB 107 is scheduled to be heard in the House Higher Education Committee Wednesday, March 17 (tomorrow). It can and should be improved and “illegal alien-proofed.” We have experienced and serious doubts that illegal immigration was any part of consideration in the senate. Senate vote record here.
While we do not claim to be experts on Family and Children’s Services, foster care or adoption, we do know about illegal immigration and that SB 107 is in urgent need of changes.
Fact: Most Georgians will take a dim view of a law that allows illegal aliens to attend post secondary education institutions at no cost while Americans and legal immigrants pay. SB 107 needs a belt and suspenders.
Our suggested changes to SB 107 – sent to some of the Republicans (including the Chairman) on the Higher Ed committee members below.
SB 107 Suggested changes LC 49 0418S (SCS)
Add sentence that goes something like:
“eligibility for benefits under this code section shall limited to students and applicants who are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents as defined by the federal government and foreign nationals who have legal immigration status as determined by federal law…applicants who have deferred action on enforcement of U.S. immigration laws shall not be eligible to apply…”
More suggested changes:
* Line 38 should be changed to include “all of”
code section for each foster child or adopted child who meets all of the following requirements:
* Lines 59 & 60 look very muddy. Should read that student must qualify for FAFSA – not merely complete the application.
* Lines 58-64:
“5) The student completes a simplified application process established by the Division
of Family and Children Services, which shall include completion of the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the level of need and eligibility for state (It looks like illegal aliens d/n qualify for FAFSA, but the bill only says they must complete the FAFSA application – not be approved. Illegals could complete the app, and still receive no cost college?) and federal financial aid programs; provided, however, that a student who is presumptively eligible to participate in the waiver program shall be permitted to provisionally participate in the waiver program for a period of up to 30 days pending the student’s completion of the application process.”
* Starting on line 60, this language should be struck: to determine the level of need and eligibility for state
and federal financial aid programs; provided, however, that a student who is
presumptively eligible to participate in the waiver program shall be permitted to
provisionally participate in the waiver program for a period of up to 30 days pending the
student’s completion of the application process.
*Updated to explain what the urging language on USG.
