I sincerely apologize to those I offended during Wednesday’s ASUO Senate meeting (“Senate supports tuition equity; Dotters-Katz confronts senator,” ODE, April 17). My comment was insensitive, as it propagated a stereotypical image that generalized the ways in which one becomes undocumented in the United States. I am very aware of the issue’s humanitarian aspects and my heart goes out to those affected. I also appreciate the fact that it is beneficial to society and economy to provide education to those who desire it.
However, I ask you to appreciate the point of view that I brought up to the Senate. Even though my statement was poorly worded, it was, in fact, legally correct. We need to remember that the Senate represents all University students. I wanted to give a voice to the portion of campus that I feared might have remained silent in the Senate room for fear of being unjustly accused of intolerance and ignorance. Accordingly, I have received calls and e-mails from various individuals who thanked me for speaking up in Senate on Wednesday night.
I also stand by the point I was attempting to make – that while the word “illegal” insinuates a sort of sub-humanity, the term “undocumented” is a generalization that ignores the issue of legality. Neither word is perfect. While I would never want anyone to think of himself or herself as an “illegal” human being, the fact remains that under U.S. law, illegal immigration is just that – against the law. Under Title 8, Section 1325 of the U.S. Code “Improper entry by alien,” “any citizen of any country other than the United States who: enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact” has committed a federal crime.
House Bill 2939 takes on an involved and complicated dilemma, tuition equity, and to leave out the issue of legality in conversations regarding the bill is to avoid a holistic view. By responding to my comment in such a reactionary and aggressive manner, ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz suppressed a constructive discussion of the issues and therefore did not allow the ASUO to serve as a solid representation of a diversity of viewpoints, some of which will inevitably be opposed to each other. While some have cited my uncouth and badly worded response as ignorant, I contend that disregarding the alternative viewpoints that are currently being used against the case for tuition equity in Salem is also a form of ignorance.
Tyler Scandalios
EMU Student Senator, Seat 4
[email protected]