College Education for Undocumented Immigrants

Okay - this topic is bound to start a heated discussion. I read the article "Illegal students struggle for higher education" (http://dukechronicle.com/article/illegal-students-struggle-higher-education)   The article speaks of various groups who believe that undocumented (or illegal) immigrants should have the same right to a college education (and grants, scholarships and other forms of financial aid) as legal citizens of the United States.  Proponents argue that allowing illegals into state universities under the same conditions as legal citizens will help illegals to better themselves and their communities.  Illegals are admitted to certain state universities; however, they must pay out-of-state tuition rates and all aid comes solely from the university itself -- not from any state or federal money.  Proponents also argue that barring these individuals from equal opportunity to higher education is bringing this nation back to a time when students were prohibited from certain institutions based on skin color and race (i.e. Jim Crow laws).  Opponents argue that illegals are taking seats away from qualified U.S. citizens and are putting a drain on the our already dwindling resources.   What do you think?  Do you agree with the opponents that if you enter a country illegally, you should not be entitled to the same rights and resources as the citizens of the country who are contributing to those resources?    If U.S. citizens went to another country and demanded the same rights and privileges as those residents, would we be accommodated, or would we be told to leave the country?  Critics opine that the U.S. seems to be the only country in the world that has legal immigration laws, but doesn't bother to uphold them and that we're so concerned with looking like the bad guys that we bend over backwards to accommodate everyone in the world.  Common sense says to take care of your own house before you try to take care of others.  The U.S. cannot afford to support its own citizens (New Orleans, for example), yet we continue to take on additional burdens.   Let the debate begin!