Bills aimed at making college cheaper for children of immigrants clear hurdle

By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

Two bills aimed at allowing illegal immigrants and the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at New Jersey’s colleges and universities are headed for a vote in the state Assembly.

The first bill — co-sponsored by Hudson County Democrats Assemblyman Sean Connors, Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos – would allow students who are U.S. citizens to pay in-state rates despite their parents’ immigration status.

The second bill would allow college-bound students to pay in-state rates even if they lack the proper immigration status to qualify.

“For some of these families, the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition rate could be the deciding factor in whether or not their son or daughter gets to attend college,” said Ramos (D-Hoboken). “It is incredibly unfair to saddle students, who have done nothing wrong and want to earn a college degree, with higher tuition expenses because of the decisions made by their parents.”

The two bills today cleared the Assembly Budget committee and now move to the full body for a vote.

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