Money for scholarships for kids who are not legal citizens?! Their parents brought them here illegally when they were small children. They went through school, graduated, and formed dreams of further education and meaningful, productive careers. They didn’t join gangs or break any laws. Instead, many worked alongside their parents for the good of the family and formed friendships with the “non-alien” kids around them. In short, they grew up acting like decent American citizens.
There are those who want to send these “illegals” home. The trouble is, Mexico or Canada or India or wherever else their family came from is NOT “home.” These kids have known no other home than right here, on U.S. soil. They’re willing to join the service to protect that home, and they’re determined to use their education and talents to make that home an even better place for all residents.
But why not give the money to “real” American kids? I would argue that these young people ARE “real” Americans in soul and spirit. Besides, each year there is a multitude of scholarships that go unused: these kids’ status disqualifies them from applying, and those who do qualify simply don’t bother.