In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Bill May Return

The sponsor of 2005 legislation that would have allowed Arkansas' colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants says she may bring the measure back before the Legislature next year.

Former Representative and incoming Senator Joyce Elliott says she'll bring the proposal back if she thinks it will pass both chambers.

Jim Purcell, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, sent a letter Thursday telling colleges and universities they must ask potential students if they legally live in the country. The letter was sent after Governor Beebe's office acknowledged it did not know that admission procedures of the state's two largest schools could give illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates.

Elliott's original measure in 2005 would have allowed the schools to offer both college scholarships and in-state tuition to the children of illegal immigrants. The bill passed the House, but failed in the Senate despite the scholarship provision being removed.
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