Student and parents are feeling the impact of Proposition 300, which was passed in 2006 and denies certain benefits to individuals who can’t prove legal resident status.
Students and people who utilize state subsidized childcare and adult learning programs are among those who have been most negatively affected.
Students who apply for in-state tuition at Arizona universities or community colleges must now show documentation proving they are legal residents of the state.
Nearly 400 applicants to the three major in-state universities were denied financial aid last year for lack of legal resident status. Recently, 29 students at the University of Arizona who had been receiving in-state tuition had it revoked because they couldn’t prove state residence, according to the UA.
According to the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee, 41 community college students in Pima County were denied in-state tuition last semester. In Maricopa County, 573 students were denied in-state tuition. “Starting in 2007 we complied with the proposition that was passed,” said Karen Lutrick, public relations coordinator for Pima Community College. “Students wishing to apply for in-state tuition must give proof they are a legal resident of the state.”
More than 470 people seeking state subsidized adult education classes have also been rejected because of their immigration status, according to reports from the Arizona Department of Education.
“Many people who are trying to get themselves educated can’t because of Proposition 300,” said Kat Rodriguez from Derechos Humanos, a migrant rights group. “Society as a whole is not as smart because of this.”
It is not just students who are affected. Forty applicants from throughout the state were unable to receive state-subsidized childcare because of unlawful resident status, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
“It is putting a strain on families and is limiting the opportunities of many,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a draconian act that denies people education and limits the opportunities for mothers to find child care. How are they supposed to get educated if they have to watch their child the whole time?”
Janet Rico Uhrig, the assistant director of Chicano/Hispanic Student Affairs at the University of Arizona, said she believes that it is the children of undocumented parents who are hit hardest by Proposition 300.
“The children in question did nothing wrong,” Uhrig said. “This proposition deprives them from aid and opportunities that they would otherwise be able to have.”
There are those who believe illegal immigrants should not be able to receive any sort of financial aid from the state.
“The people coming here illegally disregarded the law,” said Pat Kilburn, District 29 Republican chairman of Pima County. “Why should they be able to cut in front of line of an in-state legal citizen?”
Uhrig believes there will be more debate on Proposition 300.
“Considering the many different views on this issue it will probably be argued about for some time.”
