A Nebraska law that allows some children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition is in jeopardy. Fremont State Senator Charlie Janssen tells us that he thinks it violates federal law.
“and also as a state we are setting a tone that says ya know it’s ok that ya broke our laws and came here and we’re still going to benefit you with our in state tuition even though we wouldn’t do the same for a kid that came from Montana.”
Education Committee Chair Greg Adams indicates to us that on the compassionate side the children will probably remain in the state and are just asking for in-state tuition not free tuition. But he also wrestles on the legal side.
“The Federal court case that says that we shouldn’t be offering services and benefits that we are not providing for everybody else.”
Currently to qualify for in-state tuition, the children of illegal immigrants must have graduated from Nebraska high schools, lived in the state for at least three years and be pursuing or promise to pursue legal status.