Ex-UGA recruit Chester Brown and immigration policy

Here’s an update on Chester Brown, the Bradwell Institute offensive lineman who de-committed from UGA on Monday for “personal family reasons.” (Go here to read the full story by the AJC’s Chip Towers)

ATHENS — A relatively new Georgia Board of Regents policy regulating the admission of undocumented students and illegal immigrants has prevented a football recruit from gaining admission to the University of Georgia.
Chester Brown, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound offensive lineman from Hinesville, committed to the Bulldogs in July, but he confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and several other media outlets late Monday night that he was withdrawing his UGA commitment “for personal reasons,” declining to elaborate.
However, a variety of people with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to the AJC on Tuesday that Brown’s change of heart was because his admissions application to UGA was rejected because of a controversial Board of Regents policy that was adopted in October 2010.
That policy, created in the wake of the Jessica Colotl uproar at Kennesaw State earlier that year, states that an undocumented student can’t take the seat of an otherwise academically qualified Georgia resident who has been turned away because of capacity constraints.

A relatively new Georgia Board of Regents policy regulating the admission of undocumented students and illegal immigrants has prevented [Chester Brown] from gaining admission to the University of Georgia … However, a variety of people with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to the AJC on Tuesday that Brown’s change of heart was because his admissions application to UGA was rejected because of a controversial Board of Regents policy that was adopted in October 2010.

That policy, created in the wake of the Jessica Colotl uproar at Kennesaw State earlier that year, states that an undocumented student can’t take the seat of an otherwise academically qualified Georgia resident who has been turned away because of capacity constraints.

For more background on Chester Brown, click here

267 comments Add your comment

Ogeechee Dawg

January 25th, 2012
11:00 am

I really DO NOT care if I OFFEND anyone – so here it goes:

This is not a UGA or a state of Georgia LAW issue.

It is the fact that people are taking advantage of this country and our tax payers by being here illegally or not doing the proper documents to avoid whatever.

This is a personal accountability issue to live within the framework that we are all supposed to live by.

The young girl at Kennesaw State flaunted the fact that she was illegal.- acted arrogant – acted that she was entitled. BULLS**T.
In my opinion, she should have been kicked out of this country – and then she and her family could have applied properly to have the honor to work in live in the USA.

I do not know Chester Brown’s story and circumstance – and hate it that he had earned opportunity for a college education with a football scholarship. If his family had done the right thing – been accountable – then he would not be in this situation. This falls back on his family.

I LOVE hearing success stories of people immigrating to the USA and becoming successful and raising their standard of living. God bless them all.
I HATE hearing stories of people coming in or living here illegally – and then complaining that their lifes are ruined due to immigration laws. This is on them – not this country or state.
No one is entitled.
I wish this young man a great future. It seems to me that it is more important that this family concentrate on obtaining the proper visas, documents, or getting a resolution to whatever the situation is.

For all of you mamby pamby’s out there – grow up – and reach out to your fellow man to help them – but help them in a legal fashion where they can be here in this country legally so that they can pursue their dreams.

Alphare

January 25th, 2012
11:00 am

30 year ago most Catholics considered themselves Democrats, because they wanted to give to the poor.

Today, most Catholics consider themselves “conservatives”, because they want to keep their own to themselves.

But they still call themselves Christians.

Interested reader

January 25th, 2012
11:06 am

I always thought that the ranking of Georgia public schools as among the worst in the nation was incorrect – until I read some of these blog posts.
What a bunch of ignorant people.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:07 am

Tobias Funke
January 25th, 2012
9:43 am

This is a bad law, period. Why would you punish somebody for trying to better themselves? These kids can’t help where their parents take them.

What should these kids do since they can’t go to college? Sell drugs? Commit crimes?

Let the kids get a durn education!

MORON……Nobody is stopping him from getting an education. Many OTHER states will take him. He can go to many colleges in Georgia. He can’t go to UGa because UGa is FULL. He can try Kennesaw St, Savannah St, Ga State, or Mercer. he can go to any college he can get in and that is not turning away QUALIFIED students and has space for him.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:14 am

So now a bunch of a-hole, xenophobic, backwards, Latino-hating, knee-jerk POS Georgians who only wanted to make sure that 18 year old Latin girls living in this country since childhood would be unable to better themselves have materially damaged my football team. Dicks.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:16 am

A person SMART enough to know…… : He is qualified by the virtue that he is good at football. I give less than half a sh!t about the borderline white kid who will “lose a spot.” He should have done better on the SAT and he would not be in that situation. Also, “full” is meaningless. There is no hard cap on the number of students in a class, it depends on how many accept admission and changes every year.

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
11:16 am

@Alphare,

It doesn’t have anything to do with giving or not giving to the poor or “keeping their own to themselves”. I want the choice to give and who to give to. I don’t want some pencil headed bureaucrat taking my money and leaving me little to be able to use for charity work.

Big government is killing charities and the spirit of giving and sharing.

@Ogeechee Dawg, I have not read anywhere that Chester or his family are flaunting the immigration laws, being arrogant like that entitled chick in Kennesaw, or even complaining. From what I have read, Chester would have been a great asset to UGA even if he didn’t play football. His grades are good, and he seems to have a good character from all his quotes that I have read.

I don’t think he is out for special treatment, but I think we should give it to him. He is an exceptional exception and and asset to our state. We should have exceptions for special cases. To be rigid and legalistic will result in a big grey monolithic and uncaring iron curtain communist style hell that we saw in Russia and in North Korea.

We need to send the vast majority of illegals home and they need to try to re-enter legally, but there should be exceptions and special cases. This kid is a special exception.

Alphare

January 25th, 2012
11:17 am

Chester, see there? most UGA fans don’t really want you, because this state has a law erected by “conservatives”.

You can take your talent to some other states where they don’t have the “conservative” law.

What? that’s what you are doing already? Good for you.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:17 am

People who act like they care about “illegal immigration” as a moral issue are just hiding the fact that they are racist.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:17 am

lawDWAG funny but don’t hate the American citizen that believes in the LAW. Hate the illegal thieves stealing from AMERICANS.
I would think by your NAME you would respect and want the laws of this country to be Honored, Respected, and Followed.

chester

January 25th, 2012
11:18 am

The rule is only right. There should be no exceptions for sports. Those legally in this country should have the first choice in their school as well as their scholarships. The rule is not stupid; becoming an adult and not at least applying for citizenship is stupid. I welcome those who care about the rule of law and take the time to come here legally.

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
11:21 am

@LawDawg ust hiding the fact that they are racist

I really hope you are not the typical representative of UGA’s law school.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:22 am

KAWDWAG………..my sisters did become Citizens the proper way. It was difficult. People want to be here for what we have but wish to do it the right I have no problem with. Call me a racists all you want, but you support the Drunk Fake Blonde White Girls College & Plantation of Georgia. The Flagship should have more African American students that don’t play sports getting degrees. The college you support is RACISTS and you are blind to it because of your homerism.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:26 am

“Drunk Fake Blonde White Girls College & Plantation of Georgia”

Wait, wait, wait. Is that supposed to be some kind of dig? Because that sounds like an awesome place to go.

Seriously, though, I do think UGA has too few minorities, but it has nothing to do with the administration begin racist.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:26 am

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
11:26 am

The person saying that UGA should have more blacks not playing sports getting degrees fails to realize that a lot of qualified black students choose to go to the many “historically black colleges” in Georgia, thus lowering the percentage of black students in the non discriminatory schools such as UGA.

Hate the game, not the playa.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:27 am

“Hate the illegal thieves stealing from AMERICANS”

I’ve never been robbed by an illegal immigrant. I have been robbed (twice) by American citizens.

LawDawg

January 25th, 2012
11:29 am

chester: I am 100% certain that you do not actually know what “the Rule of Law” is. Hint: it does not mean an individual should follow the law. Wikipedia/Google/books exist, you know.

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
11:31 am

@LawDawg,

You get robbed every day in the increased cost of health and auto insurance, higher taxes to cover all the social programs to provide for illegals… including the large illegal alien prison population, increased taxes to cover mult-language law documents that our Government issues, increased cost of law protection.

Illegals cost more than they contribute via cheap farm, factory, restaurant and grass cutting labor.

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
11:35 am

@LawDawg,

Here is a link I quickly found on the Real Costs of Illegal Immigration;
http://www.cis.org/node/54

I only glanced through it, but it might help you.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:36 am

Richt going to Church with recruit. Isn’t that sweet.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:41 am

DougsMugsDOTcom…do you think those black students chose HBCs because UGa doesn’t create a friendly cultural environment for them unless they are a Student Athlete?

West Coast DAWG

January 25th, 2012
11:41 am

We are ranked number six in the SEC in recruiting. How long can this continue before the HMS Richt smashes into the rocks. A better question is, given all we have to offer young men at UGA, why do we continue to have such a difficult time in recruiting? Must be the coaches as they are the ones who contact these players.

Richt has to contend with the hottest seat in his tenure because he has to win 12 straight and then beat the SEC W champion and win that too. Ain’t gonna happen. Adios Richt!

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
11:50 am

I don’t know why black students choose to go to “Historically Black Colleges”. Maybe, for the history and tradition? Maybe, the location?

I am sure there are a lot of reasons, but regardless, those schools necessarily – by their very nature- lower the percentage of black students at other institutions.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:54 am

What is Chester Brown’s real name. Most Samoans have Samoan names. He has a real white-bread name. Did his parents change his name when he got here? Did they name him that when he was born here and is it on a birth certificate?

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
11:58 am

DOUGSMUGS…then why are the HBCs not the BEST at every sport? So it is kand of a separate but equal kinda thing except when a good athlete is needed.

1eyedJack

January 25th, 2012
12:02 pm

“You can take your talent to some other states where they don’t have the “conservative” law.”

Alphare, why don’t you take YOUR ASS to some other state, period.

“…do you think those black students chose HBCs because UGa doesn’t create a friendly cultural environment for them…”

What are they supposed to do, bring in some drug dealers, pimps, or ‘hos or maybe boil a missionary on Friday nights while everybody dances around the pot with a bone in their nose dressed in leopard skins?

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
12:09 pm

1eyedJack that was a bit much.

Curious and Confused

January 25th, 2012
12:09 pm

Well, politics are annoying when they interfere with a young man’s life like this. I wish him the best wherever he goes to school and that he has a great career. I am just glad that this isn’t CMR fault, or there would be so much more talk of getting rid of him. Go Dawgs and good luck Chester Brown.

schmeckdawg

January 25th, 2012
12:11 pm

What a freaking joke. This kid has been committed for almost 8 months and they just now come up with this BS!!!!!

The Board of Regents should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!!!!!!!!

DougsMugsDOTcom

January 25th, 2012
12:15 pm

@schmeckdawg, “The Board of Regents should be ashamed of themselves”

I am ashamed of them.

HighHopes

January 25th, 2012
12:19 pm

Alphare…Really?

Did you just make comparisons of an award to proof of citizenship? What an ignorant, racist display of comments you have posted. Driver’s licenses, passports, military enrollment, etc. require this a form of Identification, not Validation. We are now pressuring candidates to submit tax returns. Yet, and I will state again if you are having difficulty understanding this point, our President has never released his birth certificate to the general public which he represents. Our Constitution requires our President to be a citizen of natural birth. No problem…Just show us the certificate. We are asking this of this kid, but not the President?

Please take your racist comments and return to the Tech blog.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
12:22 pm

P.ss on illegals getting ANYTHING from this country for free. I would laff my butt off if this kid got his degree and then applied for a job where you work and the Boss FIRED your BUTT and hired him. I am sure you would all still love him and his pursuit of HIS happiness at the expense of your happiness.

GT4EVER

January 25th, 2012
12:25 pm

Obama.Obama…It’s about time we all come to the understand the fact that politicians don’t care about regular working people.You really think any Republican is going to be any different?These politicians make us all look stupid bickering about Dem vs Rep.Liberal vs Conservative…they don’t believe in any of that crap…they are simply pandering to the voting bloc of the area they are trying to get elected.The South was once all Blue now it’s Red and if I had to change to pink for elected officials to get elected you believe they would spend billions in advertising to convince you that pink is the best color for you now.Sad thing is most would fall for it.Bush,Obama,Gingrich,Romney, blah blah blah at the end of the day they all represent the same people.The rich if you haven’t realised thisby no you are an idiot.

East Repeat

January 25th, 2012
12:31 pm

God Bless Dawg fans and all SEC fans, I really respect them even though I pull only for SC and love jerking Dawg fans chain on this blog. But I have NO respect for Obama or illegal immigrants. Obama encourages able bodied people not to work, end of story. Defeat unions, gov’t workers and other worethless liberals. Us producers are tired of dragging the liberals along for the ride.

Rick James

January 25th, 2012
12:31 pm

@HighHopes

Remember now that the president released the birth certificate last year when Donald Trump was on his case about it.Think carefully.

East Repeat

January 25th, 2012
12:33 pm

I will stand shoulder to shoulder with Dawgs to defend this country ffrom Liberals and others who have no soul.

East Repeat

January 25th, 2012
12:35 pm

Rick- That one was phoneyed up also. Yes it was.

BIGBOY

January 25th, 2012
12:36 pm

Getting elected to public office is a path to riches for all parties.I think green is the only color they really care about.I can tell you that nobody in Wahington DC in congress or the senate would be considered “middle class” so why do we really think they care about the middle class?They will play lip service to the needs of the working folks though because they vote.Hell the only thing that kept them all of them from gutting social security many many years ago is because old people vote!It’s time for us to kick them all out of office and start over limitting ALL public officials to 2 terms.Then maybe some real work will get done fixing some of the many things wrong with this country.The minorities are getting played…the rednecks are getting played and everybody else is getting played too.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
12:45 pm

Rick James……didn’t Obama’s Birth Certificate say African American on it? That TERM was not used when Obama was born.

slydog

January 25th, 2012
12:54 pm

A person SMART enough to know……

January 25th, 2012
12:45 pm

Rick James……didn’t Obama’s Birth Certificate say African American on it? That TERM was not used when Obama was born.

As an AA, you are right. Even Malcom X and MLK used the term negroe as late as 1965. The problem with the birther movement and the opposition to Obama is that the racists have taken the forefront. The people with any real gripes have had their issues hijacked by haters…lol. So guys, is Mitt Romney the answer? Or is reforming our government from top to bottom the answer? You tell me.

MarineDog

January 25th, 2012
12:54 pm

@1eyedJack

January 25th, 2012
12:02 pm

That last post was out of line and quite offensive. It’s hard to intrepert it as being anything other than racist. This blog is getting out of hand. Maybe the AJC should consider closing it. It’s amazing that people still have this type of attitude in 2012. I have been to many clime and place and watched my fellow Marines shed blood in some Godforsaken place because they are defending the interests of this country and our allies against enemies that have similiar views as yours. I doubt that you represent the majority of the UGA faithful. But as the saying goes….an empty wagon always makes the most noise.

SOUTHGADAWG88

January 25th, 2012
12:56 pm

Politics….LOL…How could anybody take Ron Paul serious?The man said Bush was in on 9-11!!! It’s shocking that people actually support that guy.I have to admit that I used to proudly call myself a conservative back in my 20’s and 30’s.Over the years I have learned that the leaders of the movement are just out to get rich just like every one else in that game.There may be a few true believers out there but it won’t take them long to become corrupt along with the rest.
Now as for UGA football!!Tough luck for the Brown kid…he seemed to want to be a Dawg very badly…sounds like he still does.We are on Shuler a 4 star OL commited to Stanford right now…the beat goes on.

DawgDad

January 25th, 2012
12:58 pm

This is not a bad law and policy, it is a necessary law and policy designed to ensure the interests of the citizens of this State prevail over self-serving people seek to subvert the rule of law to advance their selfish interests.

If this kid wants to attend UGA he needs to get his paperwork in order. Otherwise, he needs to go elsewhere. It’s that simple. My daughter attended UGA on a HOPE scholarship – she was required to prove her identity and eligibility, and that took a considerable amount of paperwork.

I have no patience for the people who believe it’s OK to spend my taxdollars in whatever unlawful way they want. In this case they have been defeated politically, and we as citizens need to ensure it stays that way.

TallaDawg

January 25th, 2012
12:59 pm

@DougsMugsdotCom – The oil will still be sold on the open, international market at the same rate as foreign oil. The amount pumped will have a negligible effect on the supply, so no drop in price becasue of increased supply.

A person SMART enough to know......

January 25th, 2012
1:03 pm

slydog.. the Politicians will never vote themselves into any harsh realities. The only way to get real Change & give people real Hope will have to be brought about by the Population deciding to overthrow the government as it now stands. We have to get back to American Values & Ethical Leadership.

Rick James

January 25th, 2012
1:05 pm

@A person SMART enough to know……

I dont think Trump would have dropped it if it was worded that way.He would have gone ballistic.And obviously if you’re asking me instead of making a statement you didnt see it with your eyes..BTW I’m not a supporter but this situation reminds me of Tech fans whose team cant beat Georgia on the field so they just create diversions.If you dont like his policies dont vote for him or produce a birth cerficate from Kenya..

1eyedJack

January 25th, 2012
1:09 pm

MarineDog, thanks for your service and your opinion. Now stuff it!
I’m tired of political correctness and having to walk on egg shells for fear of “offending” somebody. And I’m tired of getting up at six o’clock and working until 9:30 at night trying to teach supposed “adults” who don’t want to be there and don’t give a hoot in hell about learning anything, all on my dime, while they receive a Pell check.

slydog

January 25th, 2012
1:11 pm

And just to let you all know, Most Blacks are conservative but they vote Democrat. Why? Because in capitolism and the economics of scarcity, there is only so many resources to go around. Regardless of country, if the majority race controls the keys to economic power, just who do you think gets the lion’s share of those resources? This is just plain common sense. It’s a game of musical chairs. Blacks are not afraid of work, and in fact, they crave it because they are in control of their money, not DFACS. There are not enough jobs left open for minorities and the ones that are left open often are not enough to make ends meet. Who is doing all of these service jobs and jobs of servitude? Blacks and Hispanics. So when the Eric Cantor’s of the world we are going to take your handout away, then not only is it insulting, but it’s downright scary for those who have children to feed and clothe. So, Black people say, “Fine, take away the welfare, just give me a job that pays well enough for me to take care of myself.” In short, the system we have developed has created a need for a social safety net. There is no way every single adult over the age of 18 can and will find work in America. There is no way every single American can go to college, get a bachelor’s degree, and find a job. The biggest insult to me, spoken by both Democraps and Repukes, is that the people took out loans they knew they could not afford and the banks allowed it. That’s simply not true. When has anyone ever gotten a home with a low credit score and no proof of income was required? It takes damn near a 750 score to get a no document loan. No, what the Banks knew, was they were sending that job overseas.

TallaDawg

January 25th, 2012
1:11 pm

@TDF 10:42 – Although you say “agree with you here,” your post contradicts what I was saying, which was the birther movement and anyone who still supports it does not have sense God gave a billy goat and is an embarassment to educated political discussion. That may even be the reason you read my post wrong. You obviously do not like Obama (and I certainly do not think he is perfect or even above-average) but he IS AN AMERICAN, and is NOT A MUSLIM.

You simply repeat (probably misquoting) things you heard or read somewhere else.