http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs. ... /603150393

Article published Mar 15, 2006
Bill would allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrant children

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Noncitizen children of illegal immigrants would be eligible for in-state tuition at community colleges and state universities if they and their parents meet residency requirements under a bill approved by the Senate Education Committee on a 5-2 vote Tuesday.

The bill (SB 366) sponsored by Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, would require parents to be Florida residents for at least a year and children to have attended a Florida high school for three consecutive years to qualify for in-state tuition.

Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, said he had qualms about legislating a benefit for illegal immigrants but said their children should not be punished.

"They're good kids," King said. "They did nothing but come because they had no choice."

The committee, however, approved changes proposed by King that would prohibit non-citizen children of illegal immigrants from obtaining state-funded scholarships. They could qualify for the grants by becoming naturalized citizens.

Sens. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, and Carey Baker, R-Eustis, voted against the bill.