Unjustified break

Your Dec. 2 editorial "The breaks on tuition" argued that to increase Hispanic enrollment in North Carolina's colleges and universities the state should make in-state tuition available to illegal immigrants graduating from state high schools. This solution would hurt Hispanics and our immigration system.

What about Hispanic citizens and legal immigrants? In-state tuition for illegal immigrants would divert funds from Hispanics legally in this country who want to attend college, and take away spots available for them in the state's selective institutions. This proposal also seems to ignore the fact that many illegal immigrants aren't Hispanic.

The proposal would provide another incentive for individuals to disrespect our immigration laws and undermine our important immigration and naturalization process. There are many legal immigrants, Hispanic and otherwise, who choose to do the right thing and go through the naturalization system to receive benefits and ultimately become American citizens. This isn't the easy thing to do, but out of respect for the nation, they take these required steps. They don't choose to skip the process altogether, violate our immigration laws and then expect to be rewarded.

Hispanic enrollment will increase, not through race or ethnicity-based state policies, and certainly not through undermining the immigration system. Hispanic citizens and legal immigrants will increase their enrollment numbers through the same hard work and drive that have made them invaluable to North Carolina.

Daren Bakst

Legal & Regulatory Policy Analyst

John Locke Foundation

Raleigh