Will Weatherford Wants In-State Tuition for Children of Illegals

House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, opened the 2014 legislative session by calling for the children of undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition at Floridas colleges and universities.

The federal government has failed, Weatherford said on Tuesday. Our border is not secure. Our laws are not enforced. Weatherford trashed the inconsistent and confusing federal policies.

Weatherford noted the children of illegal immigrants get the benefits of K-12 education in Florida but not when they seek higher education. Then we slam the doors on their future, Weatherford said.

"Let's exercise our state's rights and open the door of opportunity for all of Florida's children."

Saying it was the right thing to do economically, Weatherford said there was also a moral argument to be made on the issue. "We should never punish a child for the mistake of their parents,"Weatherford said.

Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, told Sunshine State News last week he opposed the speaker on this issue.