GOP leader criticizes college plan for undocumented students that relies on "creative ideas."

A Connecticut university is facing backlash after a report emerged that the school was seeking innovative ways to compensate undocumented students for their internships.

Connecticut GOP Chairman Ben Proto stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the issue lies in their prioritization of citizens over noncitizens.

According to a report by Connecticut Inside Investigator, CCSU officials searched for ways to pay undocumented students without using the terms "employment" or requiring a social security number, as revealed through emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

"Audra Mika, a CCSU career coach, wrote in an email on Sept. 13, 2024, that the President’s Undocumented Student Committee is seeking innovative solutions to help undocumented (or underdocumented) students secure paid internships/experiential learning opportunities. She noted that other universities have established grants, scholarships, fellowships, and stipends to compensate these students without using the terms "employment" or requiring a social security number."

"Our email to the university's grants department stated that PJ and I are interested in exploring possibilities and requested suggestions for assisting undocumented students in securing paid employment."

Kathleen Moore of the CCSU's Office of Post-Award Grants responded to that email with a warning that the proposed idea was "unethical" and "illegal." Additionally, she pointed out that grants are awarded through a competitive application process and any individual paid with grant funds must be a U.S. citizen.

Moore's reply stated that if you were informed that other universities were using grants to pay students, you were deceived, or those individuals were engaging in illegal activities and, in his view, had no moral compass.

Paul Rossitto, Director of the Career Development Office, forwarded Moore's email to CCSU Associate Vice President Carmen Veloria, who wrote, "FYI, some university employees believe we should not assist all students."

Officials at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) have stated that there is a scholarship fund for "Dream Scholars," but this scholarship only covers "Dreamers" under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and not for all undocumented migrants.

SCSU officials mentioned that they provide the Monarch Scholarship and funds for undocumented students who work on campus as academic interns. Meanwhile, Eastern Connecticut State University officials suggested that students obtain Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN), but warned that it does not grant work authorization or legal status to migrants.

CCSU officials supported the idea of encouraging undocumented students to obtain ITINs and then approach local businesses to gauge their interest in hiring or supporting undocumented students as interns. Additionally, the school's Student Affairs Department was tasked with creating fellowships, funding opportunities, and stipends for undocumented student workers, both on and off campus. The department was also responsible for finding and teaching "allies" about the potential benefits of these measures for CCSU.

In Connecticut, government officials, employees, and lawmakers are consistently prioritizing the needs of migrants over the legal citizens of the state, as seen in the latest story.

"The attorney general's focus on protecting illegal immigrants seems misplaced, given his campaign promise to prioritize the citizens of Connecticut."

Jodi Latina, CCSU spokeswoman, stated that there was no intention to deceive or bypass any laws.

"The committee member was investigating ways to assist students legally, but the email message was misunderstood by the recipient. According to Latina, the requester was asking if there were any legal avenues that were not being explored to support undocumented students."

The university has not and will not condone any activities that circumvent the law, and the committee was implemented to support students legally, as the university aims to do for its entire Central Family.

Zulma Toro, the university president, wrote a letter to Latina, emphasizing that the school's initiatives were only legal.

The letter to the CCSU community stated that undocumented students are eligible for aid from private donors and/or the state of Connecticut but not federal financial assistance, work study grants, employment, and are prohibited from participating in programs and experiential learning opportunities that require background checks and social security numbers.

"This committee was established to unite legal strategies in support of students, as we strive to maintain our commitment to upholding the law and never condoning any illegal activities."