By Stephanie Madrigal |Staff Writer|

If giving illegal immigrants a California driver’s license benefits me, then I am all in.
But if giving illegal immigrants more privileges start taking away my opportunities, such as financial aid, then I have a problem.
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a new law under an Obama Administration policy that gives non-citizens, who are eligible for work permits, the right to be granted a California driver’s license.
“President Obama has recognized the unique status of these students, and making them eligible to apply for driver’s licenses is an obvious next step,” said Brown spokesman Gil Duran to the Christian Science Monitor.
According to immigration.procon.org, the only argument against this law is that these students are not legal citizens.
Not much of an argument, I would say.
“I think it is fair because they are here working and possibly driving illegally and they are not taking anyone’s money, so it doesn’t bother me,” said student Kristina Beltran.
Personally, I think this will benefit citizens more.
Immigrants are and will continue to drive whether it’s legal or not, so we might as well make it legal to avoid further complications.
Obtaining a driver’s license can help non-citizens insure their cars.
Therefore, when involved in an accident, insured citizens will not be suffering in debt.
Call me selfish, but I am okay with giving them an opportunity that benefits me.
I’m not bothered by the driver’s license issue because it will benefit me, however, illegal immigrants receiving financial aid does.
Most student jobs available on the CSUSB campus require the applicants be eligible for work-study.
However, the thought of illegal immigrants being granted funds and work-study is troubling.
“I think they should receive financial aid because they have been in America for a significant amount of time, however I do feel like there should be regulations,” said student Monique Torres.
I would be more satisfied with seeing all the less-privileged citizens attending CSUSB receive aid before illegal immigrants.
“The [finance] department says that 2,500 students would qualify for aid under the bill and estimates the costs to equal $14.5 million of a $1.4 billion program,” Foxnews.com stated in 2011.
$14.5 million going to just illegal immigrants? I do not like the sound or look of that.
I strongly stand by my word when I say I do not agree with immigrants receiving government aid when citizens are not receiving any or less money.
If illegal students really want their driver’s license or help with college expenses, then I believe there should be strict criteria in place that would help determine who really deserves these privileges.
I believe that illegal immigrants should know and abide by the laws, read and write English and pass a test proving their desire to make our country a better place.
If these requirements were in place, then I would feel better granting them privileges that legal citizens enjoy.