MCC Letter to the Missouri Senate - Opposition to HB 1463 – Higher Education/Undocumented Persons

TO: Members of the Missouri Senate

FROM: Missouri Catholic Conference

RE:Opposition to HB 1463 – Higher Education/Undocumented Persons

Date: May 6, 2008

On the Senate debate calendar is legislation (SCS/HCS/HB 1463) proposing to bar undocumented young people from enrolling in Missouri’s public colleges and universities. Of all the immigration related legislation presently under consideration, no measure is more unjust in whom it targets for punitive action. 

The young people targeted by this bill were typically brought into this country by their parents as children. They have lived most of their lives in our country and in the state of Missouri. This is their home. These children are not morally responsible for the actions of their parents, who may have improperly entered the country. Yet HB 1463 ignores this fact and punishes the children for the acts of the parents.

Not punishment but compassion is what is demanded. In Exodus God commanded his people, “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22: 21). Jesus reached out to Samaritans and others shunned by the society of his day. Jesus offers us an example that we should follow in deciding how to treat the undocumented people in our midst.

 In denying higher education to these young people we harm not only them but ourselves. Our tax dollars have been spent to provide them an elementary and secondary education.  But HB 1463 would put an end to their education, severely limiting the contributions they can make to our state and nation. It is as if, after building a bridge halfway across the river, we stop and build no more. Taxpayer’s investment in their education is wasted.

It will be tragically ironic if, at the end of this 2008 session, powerful business interests are shielded from immigration related sanctions while young people not responsible for their unlawful status are targeted for the most harsh treatment. Our laws should be just and allow people to exercise common sense and compassion. HB 1463 fails on all of these counts. As a matter conscience and compassion, we strongly urge you to defeat HB 1463.