A call for in-state tuition for immigrants’ children

    Advocates say thousands of children from immigrant families are now forced to pay out-of-state tuition rates that many can not afford.

    Immigrant rights advocates are urging lawmakers to approve legislation that would allow all New Jersey high school graduates to pay in-state college tuition.

    Listen:
    [audio: 091210pgtuition.mp3]

    Advocates say thousands of children from immigrant families are now forced to pay out-of-state tuition rates that many can not afford.

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    R. Lenton Buffalo, President of the New Jersey Regional Coalition, says the legislation would allow those who have attended at least three years of high school in the state to pay the lower, resident college tuition rates.

    Buffalo: It makes economic sense because they can go to college, get a job and go forward, and they won’t add to the rolls of unemployment. They won’t be persons who are discouraged and despondent and go out and end up doing things that they should not do.

    Buffalo says the measure would not add to costs in the state budget. The proposed legislation has not cleared committees in either chamber of the legislature, and advocates are pushing for its approval before the end of the current session.

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