Our nation's economic problems would be much deeper if it weren't for immigrant labor. Imagine paying 5-50% more for everything. These people make our standard of living possible through their hard work. They are exploited so we can enjoy everything we do. To blame them for our problems is hypocritical and disingenuous. No such thing as a free lunch, and if we keep demonizing immigrants we will all pay the price sooner or later. Let these young people get their education and give them a path to citizenship and we will all benefit.

Great opinion piece. I am sick and tired of the "taxpayers are footing the bill" argument that ignores the realities: these young people and their parents are taxpayers at the local, state and federal level. Furthermore, the argument is hypocritical and nonsensical since we already rank 49th in the country in terms of support for higher education. For those of you who don't understand plain English: these folks already support higher ed as much as you do (and they probably pay your elderly parents' social security too), so let them get educated and contribute to our society.

Did you not read the article? They do pay taxes. You just seem to have the headline and the parts that agree with your position. Part of being an intelligent person is actually considering opposing viewpoints.

Not saying it's right, just saying it's the reality. I am against corporations using the situation against workers as well. It's not good for any workers to have a population working in the shadows and being exploited to no end (in addition to being blamed for all of our problems when they are just here to work hard). But unless we are prepared to call our corporations on their exploitation (both here and abroad), and to pay $10 for a head of lettuce, i don't think we're in a position to blame the people who make our living standards possible. It's hypocritical. We give corporations massive tax breaks and then blame the people who do our dirty work. And then demonize their children too? Just doesn't make sense and it's un-American.

This seems like just a simple question of economics. Immigrants are already making it possible for us to pay low prices for food and many services. If these folks weren't here doing the low-skilled jobs most Americans refuse to do, you would see food prices skyrocket everywhere, and we would all have to pay much higher prices for most basic services we take for granted. Now their children want to contribute too, so let them...they pay for their own schooling without any subsidy and then are able to give back to the society that gave them the opportunity. Considering how little taxpayers already contribute to our higher education system in the state (Colorado ranks 49th in state and local support for higher ed nationally!!), it seems to me ANY additional revenue would be beneficial.

Seems to me this is an economic question and about making the most of our dollars. Undocumented immigrants already make it possible for us to pay low prices for food and many services. If these folks weren't here doing these jobs, you would see food prices skyrocket in supermarkets and restaurants, and we would all have to pay much higher prices for most basic services we take for granted. Their children want to contribute to our society too and we should let them do it. Considering how bad off our higher education system is, and how little the state taxpayers are willing to give (less than 6% of CU budget?), I think the increased revenue would be beneficial. Let these ambitious young people pay into the educational system and then work and pay taxes rather than becoming the drain on society they're often accused of being.