Though parents broke law, kids shouldn’t suffer

TO THE EDITOR:

In response to Mr. Williams’ letter “Colleges must be reserved for legal citizens, residents,” (Feb. 4) I must say I’m sorry to see an alumnus from this fine institution so willing to punish children for the transgressions of their parents.

Should we also exclude the children of felons, tax evaders or traffic law violators? If you feel that we must withhold education from qualified candidates because their parents broke a law, then please tell me what other punishments should we inflict on the adult children of law breakers?

Or, if it is not your position that children should be punished for their parents’ crimes, perhaps you will agree that a just compromise is to make the student visa application process open to these candidates.

This would neither reward nor punish; it would open the door to legitimate competition among qualified candidates for places in our colleges and universities.



 Garrett Lagan
Graduate Student