by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

In 1982, a US Supreme Court decision entitled illegal immigrants to public education, kindergarten through high school; but their access to higher education wasn’t guaranteed.

According to the Los Angeles Times,  50,000 to 70,000 graduate from high schools each year, an estimated 40% in California.

California and nine other states have encouraged undocumented students to go to college, offering in-state tuition.  However, by attending college and even having exemplary records, their legal status is not altered.

A proposed federal law called the Dream Act, would have offered a way to citizenship for these college students and those in the military, but it failed to gain enough votes.

Advocates argue that it’s inhumane and counterproductive to ostracize those who have come so far, living in the US since they are small children and attending our schools. They have much to contribute to society.

Opponents believe that illegal immigrants drain our limited education resources.

The plight of undocumented college students and graduates is yet another serious wrinkle in the immigration question.