New Jersey Catholic Conference applauds in-state tuition legislation compromise
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Morrell|Managing Editor
and Mary Stadnyk|Associate Editor
Following a compromise struck Dec. 19 between the state legislature and the office of the Governor, legislation that would grant undocumented immigrants access to in-state tuition rates in New Jersey’s public colleges and universities will be signed into law today, Dec. 20, by Gov. Chris Christie.
Known as the Dream Act, the bill has received the unequivocal support of New Jersey’s Catholic Bishops, who in a prepared statement issued Nov. 21, called for the bill’s passage.
The bill aids those undocumented immigrants who have attended at least three years of high school in New Jersey.
The governor had agreed to sign the law after a provision allowing undocumented students to apply for the TAG (Tuition Aid Grant) was removed from the bill before it passed through the Assembly Dec. 19 by a 46-32 vote.
Jim King, director, Office of Social Concerns in The New Jersey Catholic Conference, which is the public policy arm of the New Jersey bishops, applauded the move forward, saying, “The New Jersey Catholic Conference is pleased that the governor’s office and legislature were able to reach a compromise on legislation that will allow certain undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they meet a set of strict criteria.”
“Many of these students came to this country with their parents at a very young age. … They have grown up here, gone to school here, and now they will be provided the same opportunity to continue their education as their peers,” he added.
King’s comments reiterated those of the NJ bishops, who stated, “For many years, the Catholic Church has spoken out in favor of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We do this because Scripture tells us to welcome the stranger, serve the poor, protect human dignity, respect all life and protect the unity of families. We come with no political agenda. We speak out as spiritual and moral leaders, as shepherds taking care of our flocks.
“In this spirit, we support legislation under consideration that would allow certain undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they meet a set of strict criteria. Many of these students came to this country with their parents at a very young age. For many, this is the only home that they know. To deny this higher educational opportunity to someone on the basis of their parents’ immigration status is not right.”
Once the bill is signed, New Jersey will become the 16th state to grant in-state tuition privileges to undocumented immigrant students. According to the National Immigration Law Center, those states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Of those, California and Rhode Island allow eligible immigrants to apply for state higher-education aid.
[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Sunday, October 27, 2024
E-Editions
Events
By Mary Morrell|Managing Editor
and Mary Stadnyk|Associate Editor
Following a compromise struck Dec. 19 between the state legislature and the office of the Governor, legislation that would grant undocumented immigrants access to in-state tuition rates in New Jersey’s public colleges and universities will be signed into law today, Dec. 20, by Gov. Chris Christie.
Known as the Dream Act, the bill has received the unequivocal support of New Jersey’s Catholic Bishops, who in a prepared statement issued Nov. 21, called for the bill’s passage.
The bill aids those undocumented immigrants who have attended at least three years of high school in New Jersey.
The governor had agreed to sign the law after a provision allowing undocumented students to apply for the TAG (Tuition Aid Grant) was removed from the bill before it passed through the Assembly Dec. 19 by a 46-32 vote.
Jim King, director, Office of Social Concerns in The New Jersey Catholic Conference, which is the public policy arm of the New Jersey bishops, applauded the move forward, saying, “The New Jersey Catholic Conference is pleased that the governor’s office and legislature were able to reach a compromise on legislation that will allow certain undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they meet a set of strict criteria.”
“Many of these students came to this country with their parents at a very young age. … They have grown up here, gone to school here, and now they will be provided the same opportunity to continue their education as their peers,” he added.
King’s comments reiterated those of the NJ bishops, who stated, “For many years, the Catholic Church has spoken out in favor of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We do this because Scripture tells us to welcome the stranger, serve the poor, protect human dignity, respect all life and protect the unity of families. We come with no political agenda. We speak out as spiritual and moral leaders, as shepherds taking care of our flocks.
“In this spirit, we support legislation under consideration that would allow certain undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they meet a set of strict criteria. Many of these students came to this country with their parents at a very young age. For many, this is the only home that they know. To deny this higher educational opportunity to someone on the basis of their parents’ immigration status is not right.”
Once the bill is signed, New Jersey will become the 16th state to grant in-state tuition privileges to undocumented immigrant students. According to the National Immigration Law Center, those states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Of those, California and Rhode Island allow eligible immigrants to apply for state higher-education aid.
[[In-content Ad]]