Travis Rowley: A Letter To An Undocumented Student
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Dear Undocumented Student,
Regarding the Board of Governors for Higher Education, I had the chance to attend its meeting on Monday night, and also the chance to observe the body of teenage students – some illegal aliens, and some devoted friends – that you were a part of.
The occasion reminded me of a time when I was closer to your age (I’m currently 31 years old), a period that can be accurately described as a transition into adulthood and – more importantly for the matter at hand – into adult citizenship.
One particular incident came to mind. I was almost fifteen years old, and was a member of Bishop Hendricken’s freshman football team. After suffering a very difficult loss to West Warwick, it was clear to one of my coaches the following day that I was still upset over the outcome of the game. My coach pulled me aside and, in one of those moments that inexplicably becomes a vivid memory, said, “You know, sometimes you don’t get the W. But you win something else.” He was referring to the timeless lessons people often take away from athletics – how to deal with loss and pain; and how to use setbacks to become a better person, so you can increase your chances of succeeding the next time. I’ve always found that sports are profoundly American, and I’ve always appreciated this particular lesson.
If you were observant at all on Monday night, you must have noticed the passion of the people standing against you, and the fact that they suffered a very emotional defeat. I was one of those people standing against you.
Despite how things tend to be publicly framed, Monday night was not a war between good and evil people. It was certainly a matter of right and wrong. But not good and evil. You and your parents are not bad people. Your opponents are not racists. And regardless of the contempt you saw aimed toward them, the members of the Board of Governors are not bad people either.
But they have become key players in an immoral government process.
Study The Declaration
It is my sincere hope that you recognize the name of King George III, and that your teachers have forced you to study with seriousness the Declaration of Independence (many of your foes from Monday night seriously doubt it).
In the event that their suspicions are correct, I have a desire to address the very first sentence of that document, in which America’s Founding Fathers expressed their willingness to list their reasons for severing all ties to England, writing that “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” The “long train of abuses and usurpations” committed by the “present King of Great Britain” that they then begin to itemize focus initially on the importance of laws and the appropriate methods of lawmaking; and they express disdain for the King’s offenses to the “right of Representation” and “Representative Houses.” The King had also “erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.” He had “combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation.” He had “[established]…an Arbitrary government, and enlarg[ed] its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing…absolute rule.” The Founders criticized the King for “taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments.”
A reading of the Declaration of Independence helps us remember that the law is the protector of liberty, and realize that America’s concept of “tyranny” is not necessarily one of cruelty and bloodshed, but that it has always been closely tied to the conditions of “taxation without representation” and the absence of “checks and balances.” In America after July 4, 1776, one man – whether referred to as king, governor, or president – would no longer be able to impose his will upon the people without being seriously checked by equally powerful bodies of government. Among other defenses, an elected legislature would be a guardian of liberty against any future tyrants. And vice versa.
Governor Consolidated Government Into One Branch
If you were listening at all on Monday night, surely you heard the outcries over the “process” and the “end-around” that was taking place. These were all terms that rightfully objected to Governor Chafee’s appointment of strategic allies to an unelected and unaccountable body of political insiders – “Officers” of “New Offices” of an “Arbitrary government” with “jurisdiction foreign to our constitution” that had “enlarg[ed] its Boundaries,” and “alter[ed] fundamentally the Forms of our Governments,” voting to confirm “Acts of pretended Legislation” that would help to introduce “absolute rule.”
Because the current policy in question is overwhelmingly rejected in the minds of Rhode Island voters, and has struggled for years to receive approval from their elected representatives, Governor Chafee simply consolidated the state’s lawmaking power into one branch of government.
And when it was argued that offering in-state tuition rates to undocumented students would cause Rhode Islanders – already some of the most highly taxed citizens in the country – to be taxed even more, one of your most ardent supporters taunted, “If so, so be it.” At that moment, weren’t you “harass[ing] our people, and eat[ing] out their substance?”
It is with sincere sadness and regret that I inform you that, while you celebrated your victory on Monday night, you were reviving tyranny. You were breathing life back into “taxation without representation.” On Monday night, you were King George.
I understand that you wish to become an American. If that day comes, I only ask that you be a good American. You can begin by imagining yourself on the receiving end of such bureaucratic tyranny, and think about whether your recent political activism helped to advance, or erode, individual rights and freedoms.
Seventeen years ago my coach asked me to consider what I had won from a loss. Similarly, I ask you to consider what you may have lost from your win.
Travis Rowley
RI Young Republicans, Chairman
www.TravisRowley.com
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Comments:
Peter Cassels
6:33am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Travis, as you know we disagree on many issues, but this is one where I stand firmly with you. I made the mistake of expressing that opinion in a comment on a Facebook posting Monday and was told I was "not cool." When I explained that my father legally immigrated to this country in the 1930s (from Ireland), became a citizen, was drafted and ultimately killed in World War II, I was greeted with a barrage of invectives, including, "your father is not relevant here." It seems people on the left can be just as ugly as some on the right when one disagrees with them.
The speaker at Monday night's meeting who said that if taxes must be raised, "so be it" was a URI professor. Why should he care? He has a nice job that pays well and is accompanied by a nice pension. Those who must survive on lesser incomes can't afford new taxes.
It's obvious that this issue will wind up in the courts. Let's hope our side wins.
Moderately yours,
donatello gori
7:16am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
This issue is yet another reason why this State is failing. Unfortunately, the voters are too stupid to see that. Viva la stupidity!
Lance Chappell
8:38am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
When Rep. Williams pointed to the minority group siting to her right, she indicated that they were the "new face of Rhode Island." Really? What about the rest of the people sitting there. What are they, pond scum? They are the ones who raised families, continue to pay taxes, and are legal residents of this state. Perhaps some of them elect you and will vote your sorry butt out of office next year.
This board is a sorry excuse of government insider action by a group of progressives hell bent on ruining this state. When the voice of the people is ignored by a committee who had their minds made up prior to the meeting, this is lousy government. People are growing tired of this tactic and as government officials continue to pull this stunt, they risk backlash by the voters. This arguement would never even be discussed twenty years ago. You had to be a citizen of this country to get these benefits. Has government drifted so badly that it has lost its way?
We do not owe these illegal immigrants a thing! They are leaching off the backs of the taxpayers. Let’s be blunt here - if they are here illegally, they should be deported back to their country, not be educated by our system. What is wrong with our elected officials? We already know what is wrong with Gov. Gump for endorsing this crap.
Chris O.
9:59am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Liberals? Progressives?? Crickets.
Tom R.
10:02am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Chris, liberals and progressives just don't care. They DO NOT care if these American principles are bypassed. They. Don't. Care. I think Travis has pointed it out before...Liberals will break rules to get what they want.
William Suffik
10:05am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A powerful piece. This letter should be read before the RI General Assembly. Maybe it will inspire them to stand up to Chafee's power grab.
Gregory Porcaro
10:23am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Taxpayers must tax action against this "policy". I suggest you contact your state rep. & senator. I sent all those who represent the City of Cranston the follow letter:
Restore Power to the Taxpayers
As our elected official you should be outraged at the Board of Governors for Higher Education's decision to usurp control over any aspect of the our state's budget. Its recent decision to allow illegal aliens to attend RI colleges as RI residents should be overturned by legislation or litigation. In fact, since it seems possible that the Board overstepped it's authority an injection should be sought before the "policy" goes into effect.
As you know the State's legislative body has been unable to bring this issue to a vote because the members of that group know their constituents do not support the idea of offering such a benefit to individuals that are in our state illegally.
There are several issues that I do not believe the Board is considering
1. This "policy" creates the possibility that a legal resident of our state will not be able to attend one of our state colleges. There are a limited number of openings per academic year and only a portion of them are allocated to resident student for budget reasons.
2. How would the potential applicant indentify themselves on campus, since they can not obtain a drivers license
3. How will they pay for tuition, presumably they do not have a social security number so they should not be eligible for financial aid of any kind.
4. The student should be required to identify themselves as an illegal alien in order to prevent the possibility of being eligible for financial aid.
5. This "policy" will create motivation for other illegal aliens to move to Rhode Island, which our state can not afford
As a parent that has put two children through college, a CPA and a financial advisor I know first hand and through clients how difficult it is for most RI families, who are US citizens, to education their children. To offer any form of assistance to families that are not here legally is an insult to all legal RI residents.
Please take the appropriate steps to stop this travesty. Thank you.
Jonathan Flynn
10:29am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Way over the top as usual. And the comments, sad and bitter, dare I say mean, utterances.
Jared D
10:31am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Declaration of Independence: "Way over the top" according to Jonathan Flynn. Welcome to the world of liberals.
Jonathan Flynn
10:40am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Letting a kid from Central Falls who goes to CCRI pay in state tuition is not tyranny. That student is not King George. I wish people would get this excited about the more pressing problems that we have. But people need scapegoats in bad economic times. And King Jose in CF is the scapegoat du jour.
Jared D
10:56am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
This has nothing to do with scapegoating during bad economic times. Nice try. This fight has been ongoing for years, even during good times. It's just even more objectionable to push this through during bad times.
And, yes, it is tyrannical what Chafee has just done. I can just see Jonathan Flynn in 1776: "Implementing a tax on stamps and imports isn't tyranny. Just relax, everyone."
This is less about the policy, and more about the process. Mr. Flynn, have you no principles? What about the rule of law? Checks and balances?
Cristiana Quinn
11:01am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Travis,
You are clearly a smart guy, so how about taking a moment to come down off your pedastal and quote facts. Of 9 studies done on the cost of providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, 7 show that there is NOT a short term cost to taxpayers. Additionally, the long term economic impact of these graduates going out and starting businesses is a win-win. They soon provide jobs and pay taxes. There is no economic gain in denying these students higher education. And that's not even delving into the costs of drop-outs, crime and other social issues. Read the research, know the facts: http://www2.rwu.edu/depository/lpi/lpi-report.pdf
Drew M
11:06am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
@ J. Flynn,...Don't forget about constitutional procedure. You seriously don't have a problem with what chafee did?? Whether right or wrong, the procedure was dead wrong. IMMORAL, as rowley wrote.
This wasn't over the top. It's not over the top to educate young teenagers about the Dec of Independence. This should be read to every RI school child today.
Chris O.
11:13am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Cristiana, you're the one who needs to get down from a pedestal. You clearly didn't read Travis' letter. He never even addressed the merits of the arguments. This letter is about the "immoral government process"...Trying to preserve liberty. The fundamental principles of our country. Please try to stay on topic.
If you want to speak to Travis, you can message him here: www.TravisRowley.com
There are plenty of reasons to deny this policy. Go ahead and believe your "studies"...But there are always other studies that reveal different results. Broadly, RIers are tired of being told that if they pay for other people's things (healthcare, high school, college, food stams, etc) that it is somehow good for them, and good for the overall economy. THAT's the mindset that has guided RI for decades, and just LOOK AT THIS PLACE.
Jonathan Flynn
11:15am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The state Department of Education is part of the executive branch.. It can make regulations. That is what departments do. A regulation is not a law, it is a policy. The policy now is that graduates of RI high schools qualify for instate tuition whether or not they are documented. There is nothing unconstitutional about this. The Board of Governors of Higher Education is a quasi-public body set up to administer the state's colleges and university. It OKed the policy.
Jonathan Flynn
11:19am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Where can I get an injection?
Jared D
11:19am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
FLYNN: Many people disagree, Mr. Flynn. And there are some upcoming lawsuits that will settle that question. These are matters of state fiscal policy, and should be decided by the entire gov't process.
CRISTIANA: How do you answer the warning of attracting even more illegal aliens to RI? There are tens of thousands of illegals here, costing the taxpayers HUNDREDS of MILLIONS each year. I'm sure you have a study that says that it's actually good for the taxpayer to keep paying these ridiculous taxes to support the illegal community. But please use your head, and your common sense.
Joan Pucino
11:31am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I don't often agree w/ Travis Rowley, and consider myself an independent/moderate politically, however, I think the Governor's use of the Board of Governors to enact a tuition policy for illegals, that flys in the face of all legislative action to date is plainly wrong. We are clearly raising our profile as a magnet state for illegals to flow here & take advantage of jobs, education & health benefits. Bad policy for the taxpayers. I'm disappointed even further in our Governor for allowing this end run around the legislature.
Jonathan Flynn
11:32am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Mr. D. I'd like that on a drivers license. Mr. D. indeed. Do tell what lawsuits have been filed and by whom. As for your ignorance on governmental process, it is staggering.
Jared D
11:46am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
To clarify, the lawsuits are said to be coming regarding this "end-around" move. And, it's easy to just say someone is ignorant, but you need to give specifics. What have I said that reveals ignorance concerning governmental process? I gotta hear this.
Jonathan Flynn
11:55am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Departmental policy is set by departments and agencies. Law is enacted by the General Assembly. The General Assembly appropriates money that departments decide how to use. The entire government doesn't decide what the tuition is at URI. Your argument holds no water.
Joan Pucino
11:58am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
However, I do think the General Assembly, as our elected body, has every right to decide what taxpayer afforded benefits might be provided or not provided to those who are residing in this state illegally.
Victor Profughi
1:32pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A very thoughtful and highly respectful piece. Whether or not one agrees with the various suppositons, the civil tone is to be admired.
Joan Pucino
2:25pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Mr. Flynn, clearly your sympathies are w/ the illegals who wish to attend college at in-state rates - that's your prerogative of course to hold that opinion. You posit this policy as justified by the Board of Governors for Education. I'm curious, were you just as "down" with our Attorney General's policy to have RI law enforcement agencies adhere to the Secure Communities act?
michael riley
2:49pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
well said Travis....
Max Diesel
1:41am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Christiana,
You can quote all the 'studies' you want including the 'Latino Policy Institute' at Roger Williams but the math doesn't lie. The state through its taxpayers is subsidizing education for people that cannot legally work in this country.
Jonathan Flynn
1:47am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Education is largely funded through the property tax. If a person pays rent, the property tax is included in the cost of rent.. If that person owns a home, they pay property tax. People, undocumented or not, pay sales tax and excise tax. Undocumented people pay taxes. The state and local communities are paying for children to educated. Children can't work legally in this country. Period.
John Waddington
12:57pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Round up, Deport.
Sean GATELY
4:17pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
First and foremost this was an end around the proper legislative process. Of the 12 other states that have granted this, ALL of them did through the legislature. Secondly as demonstrated by the testimony of Ocean State Action at the hearing. This is another effort of organized labor to provide a path to amnesty and citizenship because this is the one populace they see as a potential windfall for membership and more importantly dues collection. http://the-spark.net/np712204.html.
This is a direct payback by the Chafee to The Poverty Institute and Organized Labor. Who once again has taken a path to take more money from private legal citizens illegally.
Mark Sullivan
5:34pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Dear Privileged Manchild,
Let me begin by asserting that there is something inherently ridiculous about a 31 year-old lecturing anyone on how things were back in the day when he was a kid, and that it is, at best, condescending and, at worst, stunningly ignorant to compare a disappointing private prep-school football result to the real-world challenges facing all too many young people in America today.
As to your elegantly expressed, sometimes-you-don’t-get-the-W-but-you-win-something-else aphorism, one can only hope that you might someday receive the humility and open-mindedness that you so clearly lack today.
That you’ve “always found … sports [to be] profoundly American” would be positively antic—if only you meant it ironically, but alas... Somewhere Tucker Carlson is smiling.
Speaking of irony… To borrow your obnoxious device: “If you were observant at all on Monday night,” YOU would have noticed that the matter at hand did indeed pertain to “a matter of right and wrong”—and that it was YOU who was not only on the short end of the stick, but the wrong side of the room.
And then there’s your novel interpretation of American history and law.
First, for future reference, The Declaration of Independence is not a governing document. For that, we have a little thing called the US Constitution—and a vast array of state, local and other sub-jurisdictional instruments, duely rendered in accordance with “appropriate methods of lawmaking.” But, just for fun, let’s play with your take on Jefferson’s letter to the world.
The phrase, “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind” was not intended to distinguish between one class of people and another. That would come later, in the form of the 3/5ths Compromise, and a variety of other “important” (albeit, mistakenly unjust) laws, that litter our historical landscape, but I digress.
And your selection of the phrase “swarms of officers to harass our people,” is particularly hilarious (in a galling sort of way), coming from a white kid from Hendriken High. Oh the indignities you must have suffered, my poor boy.
“The law” is indeed intended to be “the protector of liberty.” And along with “liberty,” the Declaration cites “life,” and “the pursuit of happiness,” as “inalienable rights.” (By the way, the word “inalienable” does not mean “to be withheld from aliens”—legal or otherwise. Just sayin’.) Inherent in the concept of pursuing happiness is the importance of an education—wouldn’t you agree?
So, on to your keen legal acumen… “Outcries” notwithstanding, the “process” to which you & yours object was by no means an “end-around.” The laws currently on the books authorize the Board of Governors to run the public-college system, and give that panel the authority to set tuition, including the criteria for those eligible for Rhode Island resident rates. And, in not one of a dozen other states (in which resident tuition rates for undocumented students have been approved) have such laws been struck down by the courts—not even in Kansas and Alabama.
And affording in-state tuition rates to undocumented students will most certainly NOT cause Rhode Islanders to be taxed even more. This is bigoted, demonstrable nonsense. The policy displaces no student, nor does it cost the public a single nickel. In point of fact, the experiences of the aforementioned, enlightened states, indicates that tuition revenue at public colleges that permit this practice actually increases over time.
As Jefferson’s buddy, John Adam’s once said, “facts are stubborn things.”
So maybe, in your "very emotional defeat" you may "won" a little bit of perspective, informed by facts. And maybe this factual information might even some day arouse in you a sense of humility and human decency...although, at this stage of the game, I sincerely doubt it.
Jared D
7:27pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Mark, stop playing class warfare (prep school vs real world). You sound like an idiot.
Also, the other states who have passed similar policies ALL did so by legislation. Whoops, you didn't know that. Plus, I think rowley was speaking to the spirit of our government procedure, more than making a legal constitutional argument. You didn't notice that? But by the way, there are a lot of people who are gearing up to challenge this legally. Not sure this will hold up.
Also, this policy forces RIers to subsidize the education for illegals, and is very likely to attract more illegals to RI, so RIers will have to pay even more in medical, education (elem and HS), interpreters, prisons, courts, housing, etc...But even if you're right, it's certainly not "bigoted" to disagree with you (What the hell was that?). Our illegal population costs the taxpayers millions of dollars per year. Whoops, you didn't know that.
Also, this WILL displace some students. Even Eva Mancuso admitted that legal RI students will now be in competition with the illegals. Whoops, you didn't know that.
You're right, facts ARE stubborn things.
Also, don't sound so smug when you write. This was a pretty sincere and modest piece by rowley. He's trying to speak candidly about the founding principles to some teenage students so they can become good Americans. What's your problem? Just a hateful liberal?? Did rowley beat you up when you were kids or something?
Gretchen Ross
1:18pm on Saturday, October 01, 2011
The Travis Rowley article is a breath of fresh air, focusing on why we find Chaffee's non-nonsensical end run so disturbing. It is one more assault on the system of fairness and justice we live by.
We don't dislike illegal aliens, we abhor the politicians who for reasons of their own, apply our treasure and undermine our laws to causes against our common good.
Time for a change; Chaffee must go.