Mirta Ojito's Nov. 1 column, One more terrible thing to waste, is an attempt to soften public opinion on the DREAM Act. The act would provide children of illegal immigrants the chance to seek a college education without fear of deportation and to qualify for scholarships and grants.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., states that this bill would provide amnesty to four million illegal immigrants, or roughly one-third of that population. It would allow those who entered the country before the age of 16 to qualify for in-state college tuition rates, a right not afforded to U.S. citizens and legal residents living across state lines.

As all parents of college students know, federal and state funding for colleges has been declining. Universities and colleges are being forced to reduce faculty while increasing the number of teaching assistants, dramatically increasing the teacher-to-student ratio and increasing tuition, dormitory and other fees and reducing freshmen enrollment.

Until our lawmakers can guarantee that 100 percent of the children of U.S. citizens and legal residents will be accepted into our universities and colleges, the DREAM ACT should be shelved.

RICH SZYMANSKI, Miami

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