Thread: Bill Seeks In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants In Pa.

A new bill is generating a lot of buzz in Pennsylvania. It would make college more affordable for illegal immigrants.

Pa. Rep. Tony Payton, D-Philadelphia, introduced a bill this week that would give the children of illegal immigrants cheaper in-state college tuition rates.

The bill has certain requirements. Students must have graduated from a state high school and their parents have paid state income taxes for the past three years.

Staffers at the Hispanic Center in Reading said the bill would become part of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act. .

Payton said his bill would offer affordable education to illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. through "no fault of their own."

"They are the innocent ones here and the DREAM Act is a means to be able to help them become a more influential individuals in our community," said Michael Toledo, executive director of the Hispanic Center.

According to the bill, students cannot apply for grant money or have a criminal record. They must also have come to the U.S. when they were under 16-years-old and lived in the U.S. for at least five years.

While the students are in the U.S. illegally, Toledo said they can contribute to society.

"Why not cultivate that natural resource that's around us with education?" said Toledo.

Pa. Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County, opposes the bill. He said it is a privilege to attend state colleges and universities and that giving special payment treatments for illegal immigrants is wrong.

"For a foreign national illegal alien who's here without our permission, taking away resources that rightly to be used by law-abiding, taxpaying Americans," said Metcalfe.

He said about 140,000 illegal immigrants live in Pennsylvania, costing state tax payers about $1.4 billion per year.

While some studies have found that students impacted by the DREAM Act could increase government revenues, Metcalfe said he believes increasing state enrollment this way is bending the rules.

"Pennsylvanians don't need to be told why they should care. Pennsylvanians do care," said Metcalfe.

To let us know what you think about the proposed legislation, call the 69 News Your Take hotline at 610-871-0074.
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PA: Bill Seeks In-State Tuition for Illegals
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