Instate Tuition for Children of Illegals
January 26th, 2012 by flanewsChildren of illegal immigrants born in Florida are asking lawmakers to lower their college tuition. They�re paying out-of-state tuition, even though they�re US citizens. As Whitney Ray tells us, legislation to give the students in-state tuition has been filed, but isn�t going anywhere.
18 year old Renato Lherisson doesn�t want to be here at the state capitol. He�d rather be in school, but he can�t afford it.
�I was born in Florida. I went to high school in Florida. I want to go to college in Florida. I want to work in Florida. (slight sob) I�m sorry,� said Renato.
Renato is a US citizen born in Miami. He moved to Haiti after his father died and moved back after the 2010 earthquake. But since Renato�s is the son of illegal immigrants, if he wants to go to a state school, he�ll have to pay out-of-state tuition and right now. He can�t afford it. So he�s sitting this year out.
�I applied like everybody else expecting that I would be paying instate fees and then they told me I would have to pay three times the amount,� said Renato.
State legislation to allow Renato and other US citizens with illegal immigrant parents to pay instate tuition has been filed, but isn�t being heard.
�It is unfair, it isn�t right and this legislature should take action,� said Rep. Hazelle Rogers.
The chairman of the House Education Committee says he�s willing to give it shot, if a subcommittee vets it first.
�If it comes through the process, then in all probability we would,� said Chairman Bill Proctor.
Another, more controversial piece of legislation, would give instate tuition rates to anyone who spent three years in a Florida public school and graduated. Another obstacle facing Renato and other US citizens with illegal immigrant parents is student loans. The loans won�t cover out-of-state tuition.
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