By The TimesLedger
Regular readers of the TimesLedger editorial page know that we have been decidedly pro-immigration. Queens has one of the most diverse populations of any place in the world. It is a borough that has been built by immigrants and it is a borough where thousands have been able to realize their American dream.
But the time has come to draw the line for illegal immigrants. CUNY, the city's university system, has announced that it will no longer allow undocumented immigrants to attend the CUNY colleges at in-state tuition prices. CUNY did not say it would not admit students who cannot prove that they are in this country legally — although it could have. And CUNY certainly did not threaten to report suspected illegal aliens to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
CUNY merely said it would not allow illegals to enjoy the same tuition break offered students who are legal residents not only of this country but also of New York. Given the fact that, like all academic institutions, CUNY has limited funds, this appears to be a fair position to take.
The Professional Staff Congress, the union that represents the CUNY faculty, has called the change in policy “blatantly anti-immigrant.” The PSC should choose its words more carefully. It is possible to disagree with the policy without engaging in such inflammatory rhetoric. CUNY has helped thousands of immigrants to take a first step toward a brighter future and it will continue to do so.
It seems to us that it is no less fair to deny in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants than it is to deny the same tuition break to a kid coming to New York from Ohio. Will this cause “hardship” for some families? Probably. Perhaps CUNY officials could consider allowing students already in the system to continue to receive the in-state tuition and implement the policy for new admissions only.
If the PSC is genuinely concerned and not just posturing, it might set up an office to help illegal aliens become legal residents. This is something that government cannot do. People in this country illegally would be understandably reluctant to trust any government agency. These same people are often victimized by hustlers who charge exorbitant fees with the promise that they can help get green cards.
If the PSC leadership feels strongly that undocumented immigrants should get the full benefits of legal residents, it should make its cases through clear, logical argument, not through name-calling.
Editorial: Center must move
At the writing of this editorial, the Queens Women's Center is still located at Fort Totten. The Jan. 15 deadline came and went and Anne Jawin and her women's center are still there.
The Fire Department is planning to use the Queens Women's Center building for administration and classroom space. The building will be part of the department's educational campus, which will be based at Fort Totten once the city takes over the land.
Borough President Helen Marshall has offered to give the Women's Center additional space at Borough Hall and the Fire Department has suggested that Jawin apply for space at Fort Totten from the Parks Department, which controls all space not used by the Fire Department.
Although the first eviction date came and went, the Fire Department said the Women's Center must vacate before the federal government turns over the former Army base to the city. Jawin insists she isn't leaving and has promised to fight the eviction in court.
This is not good time for any organization to be picking a fight with the Fire Department. The Women's Center has made a positive contribution to Queens.
But the Women's Center does not save lives. If the Fire Department says it needs the space to train new firefighters — especially after losing more than 300 firefighters on Sept. 11 – no organization should get in the way.
We had hoped that the FDNY and Jawin could have reached a compromise. That didn't happen and Jawin is looking increasingly inflexible. Jawin has allies in Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and Borough President Marshall.
Avella has said he will seek a six-month delay for the women's center. That will solve nothing. Jawin knew this day was coming. If the center wants to continue its good work in Queens, it will have to do it somewhere else.
Editorial: The 'Dream' 2002
What would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. be thinking if he were to walk the streets of Queens in 2002?
King would be heartened by the fact that an African-American woman is the new borough president and even more encouraged by the fact that race did not play a major role in this election. He would also be pleased that the people of Flushing have elected the first Asian American to the City Council.
But the preacher, who in his short life changed this nation forever, would be saddened to learn that Sikh men have been beaten by mental midgets who thought they were Islamic. And he would be shocked by the story of the young white men who offered work to day laborers and then nearly beat them to death because they were Mexican immigrants.
Dr. King would likewise be saddened by the reality that in high schools throughout New York City children must pass through metal detectors. And King would be outraged that many schools across Queens don't have a desk for every child.
We have come a long way since King first told us of his dream. But we have a long way to go.
