Thread: N.J. college students to rally for lower tuition for illegal immigrants

By Kelly Heyboer/ The Star-Ledger
on January 08, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated January 08, 2013 at 10:31 AM

TRENTON — A coalition of college students and immigration activists will kick off a campaign today calling for "tuition equality" for illegal immigrants at New Jersey colleges.

The group — which will stage its first rally on the steps of the Statehouse in Trenton this morning — is pushing for passage of controversial legislation that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at the state’s public colleges.

Under the current law, New Jersey colleges do not ask students their immigration status. But if students can not prove they live in the state legally, they are required to pay out-of-state tuition and are ineligible for financial aid.

"This is our first rally that’s going to kick off our campaign," said Frangy Pozo, a Rutgers student and one of the organizers of the campaign. "We are looking forward to getting this passed."

Students have been pushing for a change to the state law for years, without success. Supporters say paying out-of-state tuition, which is often twice the in-state rate, makes higher education unaffordable for most illegal immigrant students. At Rutgers University, for example, in-state undergraduates pay $13,073 in annual tuition and mandatory fees while out-of-state students pay $26,393.

The 11 a.m. rally, organized by the NJ DREAM Act Coalition and New Jersey United Students, will include immigrant students speaking about their experiences, Pozo said. Students also plan to hand out "tuition equality" literature to those arriving at the Statehouse for Gov. Chris Christie’s State of the State address this afternoon.

There are currently several pieces of legislation related to undocumented immigrants being considered in the state Legislature. One set of identical bills (A1659 in the Assembly and S2355 in the Senate) would allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition if they attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years and file an affidavit saying they plan to apply to be a legal citizen as soon as the law allows.

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (both D-Bergen) introduced a separate bill (A3509) last month that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if they have applied for a new amnesty program introduced by President Obama last year. The program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, allows illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to apply for a work permit and protection from deportation.

In 2010, Congress failed to pass federal legislation, called the DREAM Act, that would have created a path to citizenship for undocumented students. By some estimates, there are as many as 60,000 young illegal immigrants in New Jersey.

N.J. college students to rally for lower tuition for illegal immigrants | NJ.com

Students rally for tuition equality for immigrants

By CARLOS AVILA
cavila@trentonian.com
Tuesday, 01/08/13 06:36 pm


NJ DREAM Act and New Jersey United Students hold yesterday a 'Rally for Tuition Equity' in front of the State House in Trenton. This event hopes to raise awareness and support for legislation that would allow undocumented immigrant youth that have grown up in New Jersey to pay the same tuition rates of other NJ high school graduates.

TRENTON — Students from several colleges across the Garden State gathered for the Rally for Tuition Equity at the State House as the governor was preparing to give the State of the State Address inside.

The NJ DREAM Act Coalition, New Jersey United Students, and coalition partners hoped to raise awareness and support for legislation that would allow undocumented immigrant youths who have grown up in New Jersey to pay the same tuition rates as other NJ high school graduates. The legislation, A1659/S2355, would allow students who attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years and graduated or received an equivalent degree, to qualify for in-state tuition rates at New Jersey’s public institutions of higher education, regardless of immigration status.

This bill would allow an undocumented student who is admitted to Rutgers, The state university of New Jersey, to pay $10,100 per year which is the same amount that any other NJ high school graduate pays. Currently undocumented immigrant students are required to pay $22,400 per year which is the international student tuition rate. The bill does not offer any type of federal or state financial aid, leaving the difference to be made up out-of-pocket.

The Office of Legislative Services has noted that the bill will have no financial impact on the state or taxpayers.

“It is an injustice that students who have lived in this country practically their whole life have to pay $25,000 for one year of schooling while everybody else pays $11,000,” said Carlos Rojas, coordinator of the event.

“We feel just as American as anyone else,” he said.

Andrea Leon, a Hackensack High School graduate, dreams of going to The College of New Jersey.

“I have the grades to go to TCNJ but I cannot pay the international student rate,” she said. León was brought to the U.S. from Ecuador at a very young age and says she considers America her home.

“I will probably have to go to City College of New York since their out-of-state rate is cheaper then here in New Jersey,” she said.

Many in the crowd were not undocumented students, but students who are supportive of their peers.

“We are here in unity to support those students who are undocumented, everyone should have a right to higher education in this state regardless of immigration status,” said Hamilton resident Frangy Pozo, who attends Rutgers University.

Bill A1659 in the State Assembly is sponsored by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D, 37); Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle (D, 37); and Annette Quijano (D,20). In the Senate, Bill S2355 is sponsored by Teresa Ruiz (D, 29) and Sandra Cunningham (D, 31).

Students rally for tuition equality for immigrants - The Trentonian