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Kaine: in-state tuition for immigrants


By DANIEL GILBERT
dgilbert@potomacnews.com
Saturday, February 25, 2006

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced his support for a Senate bill that would allow in-state college tuition for select undocumented immigrants.

Kaine addressed his remarks to the Virginia Latino Advisory Board at the board's first meeting as a permanent agency at the Richmond Museum of Science on Friday.

In response to a plea from board member Andres Tobar to support the bill -- which would provide a framework for undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at Virginia colleges - Kaine said he would "continue to push for it."

The bill, SB677, is sponsored by Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger, who had initially endorsed legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition. Hanger changed his stance last week, adding an exception for illegal immigrants who have resided in Virginia for three years, paid income taxes, graduated from high school and written an affidavit stating their intention to become citizens.

Speaking in Spanish, Kaine reaffirmed his pledge to improve the quality of life among the Hispanic community.

"The Hispanic community in Virginia is very important," Kaine said. "Although there are some who don't think so, that's how it is, and I'm going to work hard to create a better life for the Hispanic community."

The VLAB, composed of 21 members who serve four-year terms, will meet four times a year to fill two primary functions: advise the governor and spread news about his projects to members' respective communities.

The board has no budget but members may be reimbursed for travel expenses related to attending meetings.

Subcommittees and task forces created within the board may meet more often than the body as a whole.

None of the board members is a resident of Prince William County. A full one-third, however, are from Northern Virginia, including newly elected chairman Leni Gonzalez of Arlington.

The last representation Prince William had on the board was Indira Moran, who served as a member in 2003-2004.

"We try to have a good regional representation," said Denise Goode, director of gubernatorial appointments. "We will reach out to existing members to recruit community leaders where representation is lacking," she said.

The earliest opportunity to fill vacancies will be in October 2007.