Undocumented students get tuition break

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - A large, passionate crowd showed up at CCRI in Warwick Monday night as the State Board of Governors for Higher Education approved granting in-state tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants.

Officials had to change the venue to the campus's field house to accomodate the expected crowd, and state, local and campus police officers were on hand as well.

The meeting started at 5:30 and public comment on the topic lasted about two hours.

At issue is the proposal to grant in-state tuition rates to the children of undocumented immigrants, provided they live in Rhode Island and are working towards legal status.

The three key provisions of the proposal are that the student in question must have attended school in RI for three years, graduated from a Rhode Island high school, and must sign an affidavit confirming that they are seeking legal status.

Governor Lincoln Chafee and House Speaker Gordon Fox have already announced their support of the measure which will take effect next September.

In a letter to the Board of Governors, Governor Chafee wrote:

"This policy change will improve the intellectual and culture life of Rhode Island while strengthening our workforce and helping our economy. Extending in-state tution rates to undocumented students will allow more Rhode Islanders to achieve the dream of a college education, as well as the positive economic and civic opportunites associated with a college diploma."

Dozens of people signed up to speak at the meeting, and students seemed split on the proposal.