Group Calls for State Office on Immigrant Affairs, In-State College Tuition
Advocates call for state office to focus on immigrants' needs:
The New Jersey Immigration Policy Network has called on Gov. Jon Corzine to create a statewide office on immigrant affairs, and to push a bill allowing immigrant children to be eligible for in-state tuition - about half the cost of out-of-state fees - at state colleges and universities. State Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex County), said Monday his office is drafting a bill to that effect to be introduced in a few weeks.
The Network recently presented Corzine with a 10-page issue paper asking him to take action within his first 100 days of office. The Network’s Executive Director Partha Banerjee was optimistic: "Based on what he has done in the past, I'm very hopeful he'll put words into action," Banerjee said. As a U.S. senator, Corzine co-sponsored similar federal legislation, called the DREAM Act.
Among those who oppose the idea is Assemblyman Christopher Connors. In addition, the Ocean County Republican has reintroduced a bill to prohibit the state from granting any license, contract, loan or tax abatement to New Jerseyans who cannot prove they are legal residents.
"Our state's citizens ought not to be in competition for seats in our colleges and university's with individuals who are here under illegal means," Connors said Monday. If an immigrant affairs office were to be created, he said he hoped it would work with federal officials to locate and deport undocumented immigrants.
A Corzine spokesman said Monday the new governor is still reviewing the Network’s suggestions.
New Jersey Government
The New Jersey Immigration Policy Network has called on Gov. Jon Corzine to create a statewide office on immigrant affairs, and to push a bill allowing immigrant children to be eligible for in-state tuition - about half the cost of out-of-state fees - at state colleges and universities. State Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex County), said Monday his office is drafting a bill to that effect to be introduced in a few weeks.
The Network recently presented Corzine with a 10-page issue paper asking him to take action within his first 100 days of office. The Network’s Executive Director Partha Banerjee was optimistic: "Based on what he has done in the past, I'm very hopeful he'll put words into action," Banerjee said. As a U.S. senator, Corzine co-sponsored similar federal legislation, called the DREAM Act.
Among those who oppose the idea is Assemblyman Christopher Connors. In addition, the Ocean County Republican has reintroduced a bill to prohibit the state from granting any license, contract, loan or tax abatement to New Jerseyans who cannot prove they are legal residents.
"Our state's citizens ought not to be in competition for seats in our colleges and university's with individuals who are here under illegal means," Connors said Monday. If an immigrant affairs office were to be created, he said he hoped it would work with federal officials to locate and deport undocumented immigrants.
A Corzine spokesman said Monday the new governor is still reviewing the Network’s suggestions.
New Jersey Government
