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The Assembly Appropriations Committee Monday approved legislation to permit some undocumented New Jersey high school graduates to pay in-state tuition at state-run colleges and universities.
Under the measure, A-194/990, in-state tuition rates would be extended to undocumented aliens who attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years and either graduated or received a graduation equivalency diploma. The student also would be required to pledge through an affidavit to file an application to legalize their immigration status.
The committee approved the bill 7-4 and sent it to the full Assembly where it could receive a floor vote as early as Thursday.
"Instead of giving undocumented aliens an incentive to legalize their status and become contributing members of society, our laws are only serving to push them further to the margins," said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), a co-sponsor. "Illegal aliens who have graduated from New Jersey's public schools should be able to continue their education just as freely as their peers.""It is a matter of simple fairness that students who have grown up in New Jersey, graduated from high school in New Jersey and are the future of New Jersey be given the simple dignity of being able to go to college here, as well," said Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden), another co-sponsor.
The lawmakers said that many undocumented students have spent their entire lives in the United States. But because their parents never became legal residents, they are unable to continue their studies. They said the current system often condemns these students to low-end, off-the-books jobs and prevents them from becoming taxpayers.
The legislation is supported by the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network.
"Very often these students came to this country because their family was fleeing political or economic instability, a decision made by the parents not the student,‘' said Charles "Shai'' Goldstein, a Network leader. "Yet, despite the many obstacles they have faced, these students worked hard and succeeded in school. New Jersey should reward them for their hard work, initiative and desire to pursue higher education to become productive members of our communities. When talented students in our communities are prevented from reaching their full potential, we all suffer."
The bill was endorsed by the Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy. If enacted, New Jersey would become the 11th state to extend in-state tuition rates to undocumented students, joining California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Washington.
Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Morris) was one of four Republicans on the committee to oppose the legislation.
"New Jersey's public institutions are not immune from the state's dire financial circumstances," Merkt said. "We cannot afford to use the public's dwindling dollars to provide a generous benefit to those who have no legal standing to live here let alone receive all the privileges of legal residents.
"My colleagues need to realize that New Jersey is broke before voting at the last minute to grant another giveaway that legal and hard-working families cannot afford to provide. This proposal is disrespectful to those families who play by the rules, but just squeak by sending their children to college with hopes of a better future. We should be focused on helping these families, not adding to their burden."
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
We are not asking for a handout, we are just trying to get an education that will both help ourselves and in the long run, this country.
We understand we did wrong by being here out of status (by no fault of ours, we are minors).
My parents pay tax and we have lived in this state for years. All I'm asking is don't punish us with outrageous school fees because of a decision our parents made to take us away from a place with no hope.
Alena
http://grantsforeducation.info
It is a common misconception that illegal immigrants never file for income tax. I don't know the statistics, but I can speak from experience. My family and I understand that it is our duty to pay taxes, despite our current status. We have always, from day one, been honest when it comes to the IRS.
You may say that we are mere exceptions, but I can reassure that the majority of our undocumented friends have never failed to file for income tax. I am aware that we have done nothing beyond our obligation, and that there are millions of illegals out there who don't share the same tax principles.
It seems to me that most people oppose this bill because they see it as a giveaway, a generous prize for people who have broken the law. The actual idea of providing these students with the opportunity for higher education doesn't seem to be the main issue. Perhaps there would be greater support for this bill if it contained one additional clause -- Only those who have paid taxes would receive benefits.
Nobody needs to remind me that by remaining in the country, I am breaking the law. But, if you will, put yourself in my shoes. New Jersey has been my home for the past decade. All I'm looking for is the dignity to get an education. Give me the opportunity to show that I can be an asset to this nation. That's all I'm looking for -- a mere opportunity.
I would bet 100$ if you lined up a mixture of undocumented students to legal students, you wouldn't be able to pick out which are which.