Lawmakers want to cut off funding for colleges that enroll illegals

Posted: Friday, March 18, 2011 5:55 pm

By David Levinsky Calkins Media, Inc.

Three state lawmakers from Burlington County want to withhold state funding to New Jersey colleges and universities that permit illegal immigrants to enroll as students.

The legislation proposed by Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblymen Scott Rudder and Pat Delany would make any institution of higher learning ineligible to receive state operating aid if it is found in violation.



This fiscal year, New Jersey budgeted $850 million in aid for colleges, including $714 million for state schools and $134.8 million for county colleges.

The three legislators, all Republicans from the 8th District, say those schools have a responsibility to ensure that funding isn’t being used to assist lawbreakers.

“Hardworking, taxpaying Americans who follow the rules are struggling to pay their fair share and educate their own children,â€