Potential Republican presidential nominee and Texas Gov. Rick Perry recently told his supporters that those who oppose in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants at public colleges don’t have a heart.
A New York Times article observed that this comment could cost Perry many votes, and could create a clear gap between him and other Republican frontrunners.
Among those who criticized Perry was former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who said, “I think if you’re opposed to illegal immigration, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a heart. It means that you have a heart and a brain.”
In one respect, Romney couldn’t be more correct. When discussing immigration, or any consequential issue, it’s important to analyze the topic with both your heart and your brain.
Apparently Romney didn’t use his noggin on this one, though. If he had, he would have known that giving in-state tuition to children of illegal immigrants invests in our future and expands our educated workforce.
In the same day as attacking his Republican contender on immigration, Romney also highlighted the importance of job creation.
Exactly, Romney! Job creation is key, especially considering the miserable state of the economy.
Why don’t we invest in our economy and allow students of parents who have immigrated to the United States illegally help strengthen our economy? The best way to do that is to give them an education.
Take Mario Perez, a 22-year-old student at Stephen F. Austin State University. The Houston Chronicle described him as a “gregarious student leader and a talented tuba player who scored 1640 on his SATS.”
Perez immigrated illegally to the United States with his parents when he was five, but if Romney takes head of Perry’s leadership, Perez could also be a prominent addition to our workforce. His leadership skills and academic dedication are sure to make an impact on our economy. In 2001, Perry signed legislation allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition. The bill received bipartisan support and was endorsed by business groups.
The New York Times reported that California and New York followed Texas’ footsteps, allowing their states to reap the benefits of an educated workforce.
Charles C. Foster, the chairman of immigration issues for the Greater Houston partnership told The New York Times, “The future of the business community is having a well-educated work force. We realize the trajectory of Texas is no longer going to be an industrial, steel-age state. It’s going to be based on brain power.”
In 2007, Romney told Meet the Press that illegal immigrants should be deported, especially if they haven’t applied for permanent residency.
It seems that Romney failed to take into consideration the economy (or his cerebrum for that matter) in this case either.
“Testimony before Congress revealed that it costs about $12,500 to deport a person from the U.S,” said Arizona Republic columnist Linda Valdez. “Consider the cost for deporting 11 million people.”
While I can’t say I agree with Perry on many other issues, I applaud him for his views on immigration. It could be political suicide for Perry to clash with political frontrunners like Romney and the mainstream ideology of the GOP, but at least we know he recognizes what’s important and logical.
It’s the economy, stupid.
Contact Emilie at eeeaton@asu.edu. Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
