To the editor:

Thank you, Sen. Dave Kerr and Sen. Mark Buhler, and your colleagues who voted in favor of the Immigrant Tuition Bill on Feb. 26. This most important piece of legislation will undoubtedly give immigrant students who were, in many cases, raised and educated in Kansas a fair chance at a high-quality higher education at one of our state’s public universities.

Many opponents of this legislation will cite terrorism, unsecured borders or unfair rewards as reasons why you should not have supported HB 2008, and I would encourage you to educate them that HB 2008 is not about national security, nor does it offer any unfair advantages. The Immigrant Tuition Bill is about Kansas families and educating Kansas’ children for their future and the future of Kansas. All citizens benefit from highly educated workers, parents and community leaders.

HB 2008 is now in the hands of the Kansas House for final approval.

Thomas Carignan,

Lawrence