Mike Klein Online

Georgia Will Ban Illegal Immigrants From Some But Not All Universities

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents will no longer allow illegal immigrant students to attend state universities and colleges that have full enrollment.  On Wednesday the Board adopted several new policies to address illegal immigrant student population, but it also said the undocumented student population is small, just a few hundred students.

Georgia made national news this past spring when a Kennesaw State University student who had been in the country since childhood was arrested and turned over to federal authorities for deportation to Mexico. Jessica Colotl was taken into custody after a routine traffic stop. KSU, friends and numerous organizations fought for and eventually gained her temporary release.

Colotl’s high-profile story raised immediate questions about how many undocumented students are enrolled in state university system schools, whether they take classroom seats away from academically qualified citizens and whether they pay in-state or out-of-state tuition.

A study committee report approved by the state Board of Regents on Wednesday identified 501 undocumented students among more than 310,000 total registered students at USG institutions. All pay out-of-state tuition which the University System said is actually higher than real costs.

A statement from the Regents noted, “The University System follows current federal and state laws, which allows for undocumented individuals to be enrolled, if academically qualified.”

New regulations that become effective next fall will reduce access illegal immigrant students have to the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Medical College of Georgia and Georgia College and State University.  Those schools have full enrollments.

State universities and colleges also will be required to verify the “lawful presence” of each applicant; legal penalties could be imposed on applicants who knowingly provide false application information; and, illegal immigrant students will be required to always pay out-of-state tuition rates.

Colotl’s Facebook profile says, “Jessica Colotl, 21, is a senior at Kennesaw State University, a political science major who is now facing deportation because she came to America illegally when she was a child.”  Kennesaw State’s university relations office said it was unable to confirm that Colotl is enrolled.

Mike Klein is Editor at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation.

October 13, 2010 - Posted by mikekleinonline | Uncategorized | Georgia College and State University, Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Jessica Colotl, Kennesaw State University, Medical College of Georgia, Mike Klein, University of Georgia, University System of Georgia