Instead, California is one of only 10 states that provides in-state college and university tuition to illegal immigrants. That's grossly unfair to a legal high school student who moves out of California for a year, then returns to attend college.

Elton Gallegly’s quote reflects his opposition to in-state tuition policies for illegal immigrants in California. He argues that offering in-state college and university tuition to undocumented immigrants is unfair to legal high school students who may have moved out of the state for a year, only to face higher tuition rates when they return to attend college. Gallegly suggests that these policies create a situation where individuals who are legally entitled to lower tuition rates are disadvantaged compared to those who are in the country without legal status.

The core of Gallegly's argument is about fairness and equity in education. He sees the provision of in-state tuition to illegal immigrants as a policy that gives them an advantage over legal residents, particularly those who are temporarily out of state. This, according to Gallegly, creates a situation where citizens or legal residents who have lived in California for most of their lives could be at a disadvantage when trying to access affordable higher education.

Gallegly's statement reflects a broader debate in the U.S. about the rights of illegal immigrants, particularly in relation to education and public services. He points to California as an example of a state that has enacted policies which, in his view, may favor undocumented immigrants over citizens or legal residents. This position aligns with the conservative viewpoint that government benefits should prioritize legal citizens over undocumented individuals, especially in cases of limited resources like college tuition.

The origin of this quote comes from Gallegly’s tenure as a U.S. Representative from California, where he was known for his strong stance on immigration policy. His remarks were likely made in the context of ongoing debates about how to handle the educational rights of undocumented immigrants and the broader issue of immigration reform. Gallegly’s position reflects a concern that such policies may undermine the interests of legal residents and create inequities in the education system.