N.J. In-State Tuition Bill for Immigrants Fails 01/12/10

By The Associated Press
Trenton, N.J.

A bill that would have granted in-state tuition rates to New Jersey residents regardless of their immigration statuses has failed.

The bill was pulled from the Senate agenda late Monday after it became clear it didn’t have enough votes to pass. The Assembly couldn’t consider the amended bill before the Senate passed it.

Monday was the final day of the legislative session, so any bill not passed must be reintroduced.

Lawmakers heard testimony from students who said they won’t be able to attend college if they have to pay the more expensive out-of-state rate.

Senate bill co-sponsor Ray Lesniak characterized the bill’s defeat as “a big mistake.” The Democrat says allowing immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates is “the right thing to do.”

Opponents considered the bill too helpful to illegal immigrants.

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