Lawmakers split on immigrant tuition

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The controversial subject of illegal immigration -- or undocumented immigrants -- appears to be putting Rhode Island lawmakers on course for a face-off. Undocumented immigrants were granted the privilege to pay in-state tuition rates at state universities last fall by a state higher education commission, but critics are now calling for a reversal of the tuition break -- saying the commission was wrong to approve the policy without legislative consent.

Supporters of the tuition privilege have filed bills of their own to try and make the policy state law. State Sen. Juan Pichardo, D-Providence -- who's been promoting the idea for years -- has said people brought to the U.S. illegally as children should get the same chance at higher education as other Rhode Island students.

Still, others in the General Assembly say that policy is discriminatory and unfair, giving an illegal immigrant an advantage over an out-of-state U.S. citizen. Proposed legislation would prohibit the state from giving illegal immigrants the tuition break.

The bills still have yet to be heard in committee.