Patrick to push tuition for immigrants

BOSTON, MASS. (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick says he'll use his second term to try to implement the rest of an advisory panel's recent recommendations on immigration reform, including in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students and more English classes.

Patrick told immigrant advocates Tuesday that the moves will help better integrate the state's immigrant population, seventh largest in the country.

The governor spoke at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition's annual Thanksgiving luncheon.

The crowd gave the governor a standing ovation, and advocates said Patrick's support for immigrants won him the votes of various immigrant communities in the recent election.

Last year, an advisory panel released a report on possible Massachusetts immigration reforms, and advocates have been pressing Patrick to push for dozens of recommendations in the report.