It would benefit nobody to repeal a state law that allows Utah high school graduates who are undocumented residents to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. And it could destroy the educational futures of a small group of the most promising, studious young Utahns in the state.

Rep. Glenn Donnelson seems to have made it his mission in life, or at least his mission as a state legislator, to deny these exemplary young people the chance to get a college degree. Because, for most of these children of illegal immigrants, the tuition break that is afforded all Utah residents is their only chance.

The law allowing in-state tuition for undocumented Utah high school graduates who have attended three years of high school is six years old. House Bill 241 is Donnelson's fifth try at getting it repealed. We can only appeal to the North Ogden Republican to find a better, more productive use of his time. In doing so he would be taking a lesson from the immigrants who have attended college under this law.

The existing statute does not encourage illegal immigration, as its opponents suggest. It's true that many immigrants come to this country illegally seeking a better life. But they wouldn't take that risk solely to obtain this benefit for their children. Indeed, few qualify. But those who do deserve the chance to choose something other than manual labor.

The point is, these children didn't choose to immigrate to Utah, and they should not be punished for what their parents did. The cost of allowing them to pursue a college education is minuscule in terms of state dollars. But the cost in human and economic terms of denying them a chance to succeed is enormous - the continuation of a degrading cycle of poverty that is a drain on state coffers.

The 280 students who paid in-state tuition to attend state colleges in the 2006-2007 school year were among the brightest and most determined of immigrant children.

Consider that about half of all Latino students drop out before graduating from high school. We suggest that Donnelson look at these children who have continued studying, often overcoming cultural, language and economic challenges, and tell them to their faces that they cannot at least try for the same opportunities as their classmates.

We couldn't do it, and neither should our legislators.