OPINION: Kansas Senators Continue to Violate Federal Law to Aid Illegals

Kansas Senators Choice of Illegal Aliens over Citizens Costs Kansas Millions
By Richard Fry

Once again the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee (SFSA) has chosen to require Kansas citizens to help pay college tuition for illegal aliens against the wishes of the Kansas citizens. Chairman Pete Brungardt of Salina, one of Sen. John Vratil’s minions, has been a staunch supporter and defender of this illegal, immoral and fiscally reckless policy.

One surprise was the vote of Sen. Steve Abrams, of Arkansas City, who voted to allow this travesty go on. In 2009 Sen. Abrams made a statement at a Capitol rally that he did not listen to the people as he was elected to use his own judgment. Apparently he used his own judgment on this vote.  (NOlathe note:  This was printed in error.  It was later learned that Senator Abrams was not present during the vote.  In a written statement to NOlathe he states that he would not have supported the outcome.)  

This policy was devised by Sen. John Vratil and the Board of Regents. They specially set out to require tax payers to pay for illegal alien’s tuition while excluding our fellow U.S. citizens from the same benefit. Not only is this un-American it’s against federal law. 8 U.S.C. 1623 provides as follows:

§ 1623. Limitation on eligibility for preferential treatment of aliens not lawfully present on basis of residence for higher education benefits
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State (or a political subdivision) for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount, duration, and scope) without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident.
(b) Effective date
This section shall apply to benefits provided on or after July 1, 1998.

Vratil and his henchmen pushed the Kansas in state tuition for illegals bill through the legislature in 2004, six years after the federal law was enacted. In fact Vratil and his cronies were well aware of §1623 when they drafted and promoted the Kansas in state tuition for illegals bill. Frankly, I do not believe we need a federal law to tell us that giving preferential treatment of illegal aliens over U.S. citizens. The American Legion has denounced this preferential treatment of illegals over citizens. (See The American Legion, Policy on Illegal Immigration p.9)

This is an example of corruption begets corruption. As Justice Brandeis said it over eighty years ago:

If the government becomes a law breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.
-Louis D. Brandeis, 1928

Sen. Vratil has sucked more and more of the people’s representatives into being an accomplice to his vile and unlawful deeds. At some point we the people must intervene and put a stop to this corruption. A good start would be to end the careers of those who would do his bidding.

Sen. Steve Abrams’ contact points are noted below. I suggest you give him a call and / or e-mail and let him know how you feel about his agreeing to discriminate against our fellow U.S. citizens, veterans, military personal, law enforcement personal and perhaps some of your family in favor of illegal aliens.

For you members of the American Legion, your national leadership has already spoken, call your local and state leadership and demand they take a vocal stand as well.

In fact feel free to copy me on your e-mails and his responses. I really would like to see what you have to say.

I will be providing more information on this affront to justice soon.

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