When I was an ESOL teacher, I regularly met and taught young adults who desperately wanted to go to college but couldn't. One case in particular really frustrated me. This young man had been living in the U.S. for 5 years and had graduated from a Massachusetts high school. He had worked at a Dunking Donuts for years and saving money for his college tuition. He was motivated, organized, bright and sweet. He was accepted to a program at Holyoke Community College but wasn't able to enroll because he had no Social Security Number.

He knew he wouldn't receive any financial aid because of this. He accepted that and was willing to pay out of pocket from his savings. Then he found out that he would have to pay out-of-state tuition even though he had been living and working in MA for years and had a MA High School Diploma. He was upset and frustrated, but determined. He would pay the higher tuition.

But then came the final insult. He was told by an administrator that he could enroll, take the classes, pay full tuition with no financial aid, but wouldn't receive his Diploma. I've spoken with other people, lawyers, organizations and even HCC administrators, and they all said that this last part was ridiculous and illegal. But by then it was too late. He went to live with a cousin in another state where he could attend college. Massachusetts lost a promising worker. And we lost a good neighbor.

Education and in-state tuition for undocumented residents is a crucial issue for our state and economy. At a time when politicians and economists are fretting over the inadequate skilled worker pool, to deny a motivated and bright young person an education is asinine. Hopefully this Kansas ruling is an indication of better news to come.

Ruling Keeps In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants in Kansas