Parents in Illinois are speaking out against a new law signed by Governor JB Pritzker that expands student financial aid eligibility to illegal immigrants.
Michelle Cunney, an Illinois mother and leader of the local Parents’ Rights in Education chapter, called the measure a “nightmare” during an interview with Fox News.
“To be honest, it’s terrifying that not only are we having to pay for this, as you know, tax-paying citizens … But also, as parents, not knowing how it will really truly end up affecting our children and their education,” she said.
“We know that the children who are not here legally will get … more of a chance and an opportunity to get scholarships and everything than our children, because to Pritzker, and so many others, we are not important. We are not anything other than money.”
Pritzker signed the bill earlier this month, making student financial aid available to all state residents regardless of immigration status. The law states that “a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for financial aid and benefits.”
Critics argue the legislation is another example of state leaders putting citizens and parents last. Cunney pointed to instances where public schools changed test standards to improve outcomes for noncitizen students.
“Because of that, it’s kind of triggered a switch in the way that they look at the grading because now they’re saying children who are not American citizens have more potential than our children,” she said.
Cunney noted how much of the criticism has been put on the governor.
“Honestly, most of the parents are not okay with this,” Cunney added. “They do not support him.”
