Children of undocumented immigrants in Florida would be eligible for in-state university tuition under legislation passed by the Florida House Friday.
The bill passed 1114. Now it heads to the Senate.
Currently, Florida requires children of undocumented immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition rates, even if they are U.S citizens. The bill would change that and offer them lower, in-state tuition.
Several lawmakers argued the legislation does not go far enough.
They said Florida should also offer in-state tuition to undocumented children, the so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the U.S. An effort to include them in the bill failed.
We are leaving people out, said Rep. Joe Saunders, D-Orlando, "and thats wrong. We should do more. This was the vehicle to do it. We shouldve done it this year and the conversation doesnt end. If anything, it begins this year but we should do more.
Rep. Hazel Rogers, D-Lauderdale Lakes, applauded the bill. We have already invested in these children from K-12 grade. They are mandated that they must go to school so they are. This is a return on your investment by allowing them to go on to college at the lower rate.
Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami pointed out the irony in the bill. Two years ago, we were discussing the Arizona-type of immigration law in committee and today we are passing tuition protection for those of illegal immigrants, as well as children of illegal immigrants. This is a huge, huge step forward.
Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, said, I think this is a good first step. I think our long-term plan has to be hopefully the federal government will come up with a plan or path to citizenship for our Dreamers and I support that. But I do think this is a step in the right direction.
Said Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, "They are U.S. citizens. They were born in this country, like I was and like many of you were, and deserve this benefit.
Nunez, who sponsored the bill, said it also makes it easier for undocumented children to prove their residency in Florida.
Dave Heller is a Tallahassee freelance reporter/videographer.
