Immigrant tuition bill in mix again

02/28/2007

BY BAO ONG
Pioneer Press


New leadership in the state Legislature could be good news for undocumented immigrant students who want to go to college.

They would be eligible to pay the cheaper in-state rates under the proposal if they attended a Minnesota high school for three or more years. They would also have to file an application to become permanent residents.

More Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican lawmakers appear to be working together, giving supporters hope the bill will pass this year. Pending proposals this year urge Congress to overhaul the immigration system and to reduce the cost of citizenship applications at the state level.

"Minnesota isn't going to be a bunch of Norwegians and Swedes forever," said Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina. "And that's OK."

The Dream Act, which has been introduced three times, heads to the Senate floor for debate after passing a higher education committee on Tuesday without much fanfare.

But if last year was any indication, supporters of the Dream Act must still gain Gov. Tim Pawlenty's support.

Pawlenty vowed to veto past versions of the Dream Act, saying it grants undocumented citizens rights not available to legal residents outside of Minnesota.

About 720 people — mostly high school students —- gathered at the state Capitol to rally support for the Dream Act. A similar version is being proposed at the federal level.

Denise Soriano, a 15-year-old student at Chaska High School who testified at Tuesday's committee hearing, said she has lived in the United States since she was 5 months old but must still shell out more money to attend a state school.

"We're not asking you to pay for us," Soriano said.

College is too costly for many students, and resident tuition rates would help, said Soriano, who added that she is ineligible for many grants, loans and scholarships because of her citizenship status.

She hopes to attend medical school at a state school some day.

An education could be a step toward citizenship for more students, said Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan. She added that changes must occur at the federal level for students like Soriano to become U.S. citizens.

Sen. Sandy Pappas of St. Paul, the Senate Higher Education Committee chairwoman and author of the bill, said the proposal was more about equal access to education than immigration.

Supporters of the Dream Act say educating a growing immigrant population is also important to competition in a global market.

Other students, wearing black T-shirts pronouncing, "I am the American dream" on the back, agreed.

Maria Lemus, a 16-year-old Harding High School student, said she needs a college degree to become a dentist.

"I'm here because I want to survive," Limos said. "I hope to become a resident of this country."