Senate panel backs revised tuition bill

A Senate committee unanimously approved legislation Thursday denying in-state tuition to some illegal aliens enrolling in Virginia public colleges.

The Education and Health Committee sent the bill to the Senate floor after it was amended to address the concerns of opponents, including a coalition of Latino organizations.

As introduced by Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr., R-Augusta, the bill would have required all illegal immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition. The House of Delegates has already passed a similar bill.

Opponents of the legislation claim it would unfairly punish young people – most of them longtime Virginia residents who attended the state’s public schools – for their parents’ decision to bring them to this country.

Hanger worked with immigrant advocates on an amendment to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants who:

– lived with a parent while attending high school in the state;

– graduated from a Virginia high school;

– lived in the state for at least three years before graduating;

– have registered as an entering college student;

– have provided the college an affidavit stating they have filed an application to become a permanent U.S. resident and are actively pursuing permanent residency or will do so as soon as eligible; and

– have submitted evidence he or at least one parent has filed a state income tax return for at least three years if they had enough income to be required to do so.

Immigrant advocates said they were pleased with the revised bill.

“This is what happens when we work together,” said Walter Tejada, a member of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors. “There needs to be more of that.”