Thread: NH bill denies illegal immigrants in-state tuition

boston.com
Associated Press
January 28, 2012

CONCORD, N.H.—Illegal immigrants could see their tuition costs rise at the state's public colleges if a bill facing the New Hampshire House passes.

The House votes Wednesday on a bill requiring students to prove they are legal residents of the United States to receive in-state tuition rates. Proponents assume a student would have to sign an affidavit and provide documentation as they do to prove state residency.

Opponents argue any child who grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from its schools should be afforded in-state tuition.

The only current in-state tuition requirement is to have lived in New Hampshire for at least 12 months prior to registering.

NH bill denies illegal immigrants in-state tuition - Boston.com

New Hampshire: Young men must be registered for Selective Service to be eligible for state enrollment in post secondary institutions, including financial aid for this schooling. Signed by Gov. Jeanne Shaheen July 31, 1998.

Originally Posted by ratbstard

boston.com
associated press
january 28, 2012

concord, n.h.—illegal immigrants could see their tuition costs rise at the state's public colleges if a bill facing the new hampshire house passes.

The house votes wednesday on a bill requiring students to prove they are legal residents of the united states to receive in-state tuition rates. Proponents assume a student would have to sign an affidavit and provide documentation as they do to prove state residency.

Opponents argue any child who grew up in new hampshire and graduated from its schools should be afforded in-state tuition.

The only current in-state tuition requirement is to have lived in new hampshire for at least 12 months prior to registering.

nh bill denies illegal immigrants in-state tuition - boston.com

lets hope it's contagious.

RELATED TUITION FOR ILLEGAL ALIEN NEWS ..

NH House OKs higher tuition for illegal immigrants

By Garrett Brnger Associated Press


CONCORD, N.H.—Students at New Hampshire's public colleges who are illegal immigrants would have to pay higher out-of-state tuition rates under a bill passed by the House on Wednesday.

The House voted 250-88 in favor of legislation to require in-state students to prove they are also legal residents of the United States. The state would also have to establish a system to prove students are in the country legally to receive in-state tuition. The bill now goes to the Senate.

In a legislative analysis written for the Republican majority on the House Education Committee, supporters of the bill said the burden would be upon the applicant to prove his or her citizenship. The rules would require the same signed affidavit and documentation process applicants use to prove state residency.

Opponents, led by Democratic Rep. Mary Stuart Gile of Concord, said no one had testified during the committee's hearing on the bill to indicate this was a problem in the University System of New Hampshire.

Republican Rep. Ralph Bohem, of Litchfield, disputed their logic as "faulty."

"If no one checks, how would they know if there's a problem?" Bohem asked.

Bohem said illegal immigrants cannot be considered New Hampshire residents and should not receive in-state tuition.

Opponents argued any child who grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from its schools should be afforded in-state tuition. It was not the state's responsibility to enforce immigration laws, they said, which are the federal government's responsibility.

In the case a student was found to be an illegal immigrant, Gile, a native of Canada and a naturalized American, said she hopes the university would work with the student in the naturalization process and continue providing them in-state tuition rates.

"The ultimate goal should be to recognize these students were working to create a better life for themselves," said Gile.

The university system comprises four schools: the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College and Granite State College. The system enrolls more than 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students, but it is unclear how many would be affected if the tuition legislation becomes law.

In-state tuition rates at the system's four schools range from $275 per credit hour at Granite State College to $12,060 a year at the University of New Hampshire, while out-of-state rates range from $285 per credit hour at Granite State to $25,380 annually at UNH.

To qualify for in-state tuition rates under current policy, students only need to prove they have lived in New Hampshire for at least 12 months prior to registering.

Source: NH House OKs higher tuition for illegal immigrants - Boston.com

Originally Posted by HAPPY2BME

It was not the state's responsibility to enforce immigration laws, they said, which are the federal government's responsibility.

Better to say Its not the state's responsibility or its legal residents and citizens to pay for the federal governments failure to enforce immigration laws.