The millions of illegal immigrants in the country face
numerous challenges, besides the prospect of deportation. In the state of
Georgia lawmakers have put up another roadblock for immigrants who are not
legally recognized.

The state Senate has passed a bill that would bar illegal
immigrants from attending public colleges and universities, even if they pay
out-of-state tuition. Sponsor of the bill, Senator Barry Loudermilk (R.) said
the bill was necessary because the state incurs costs not covered by tuition.

Loudermilk and others in the Senate assert that the bill is
necessary because undocumented immigrants take slots away from eligible
citizens. He amended to the bill to clarify the issue of “public benefits” and
stated that illegal immigrants should not receive them whether are federally or
state funded.

University officials in the state have argued that the law
isn’t necessary since illegal immigrants do not receive any funding for tuition
and pay three times what a state resident would in tuition. But lawmakers are
undaunted and the bill was passed.

Many of the college age undocumented immigrant in the
country were brought her by their parents without the help of an immigration attorney.

These young people are paying the price for their parent’s
choices and have never lived anywhere but the U.S. It may be possible for these
young people to eventually hire an immigration lawyer and apply for citizenship, but it often requires they leave the
country for at least five years. Hopeful immigrants are encouraged to hire immigration attorneys
and get the necessary legal documents before they enter the country.