N.J. 'Dream Act' faces hurdles to passage June 18, 2013
By Emma Jacobs, @ecjacobs


Young immigrants in New Jersey are pushing the state Legislature to take up a version of the federal Dream Act by the end of the month.
Vera Parra, who works the "Dreamers" - young students without lawful presence in the U.S. -- says it's a key time for the New Jersey Tuition Equality Act. The measure would grant in-state tuition rates for state colleges and universities to students brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
"There are a lot of different campaigns that are using the momentum and sort of consensus building around immigration reform," said Parra, referring to efforts on the national level.
Well, some consensus. Even a supporter, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, vice chairman of the budget committee that has just endorsed the bill, acknowledges a split that could upset the legislation.
"The four members [of the committee] from the Republican Party were opposed to the bill," said Schaer, D-Passaic. "It would suggest that they were reflecting the governor's thought process as well."
Gov. Chris Christie has indicated in the past that he would veto an in-state tuition bill if one arrived on his desk.
The legislation has yet to be introduced in the New Jersey Senate.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//item/56243-nj-dream-act-faces-hurdles-to-passage/