The American-born children of illegal immigrants are one step closer to paying in-state tuition at Florida universities.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill saying the students will be treated like any other U.S. citizen who is a Florida resident, when applying to college.
In the past, tuition rates have been based on the parents' residence, and since many were undocumented, the kids had to pay the higher, out-of-state rate. Representative Jeanette Nuñez of Miami says her bill is common sense.
"They are U.S. citizens", Nuñez pointed out. "They were born in this county, like I was and like many of you were, and deserve this benefit."
Representative José Javier Rodríguez, also of Miami, said the bill should include the so-called ‘Dreamers’, illegal immigrants who were brought to the U-S as children by their parents.
"Many of the dreamers were brought here young and they have no country to go home to", said Rodríguez. "They're as American as anybody else, culturally."
The bill would also make it easier for foster youth, military veterans and homeless kids to get in-state tuition.