It's not yet a done deal, but a bill to allow some undocumented immigrants to pay state resident tuition at Florida universities is picking up steam in the Legislature. Governor Rick Scott said Wednesday he now supports the bill after opposing the measure for most of his first term. He says it's because the bill addresses one of his top priorities to keep college tuition low.
And, on Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee approved the bill with bipartisan support.
Sponsor Jeannette Nuñez - a Republican state representative from Miami - said the bill makes no promises of eventual citizenship or legal residency.
"It's simply a recognition that these students are here", said Nuñez. "And the vast majority of them have actually been acknowledged by the federal government under the deferred action childhood arrival status and as such will not be deported. They're staying here, They can work and become productive citizens."
Under the bill, immigrants brought to the US as children and who attended Florida public schools for at least three years would be entitled to the discounted university tuition that Florida residents pay. Colombia native Oscar Reyes said the bill creates an opportunity that he wishes he had had.
"I know what its like to live in this country, a country of dreams, hopes and opportunities, and not have that opportunity once you get out of high school", said Reyes.
But in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants is still a long way from passage. Senate President Don Gaetz opposes it and the Senate version of the bill has yet to be scheduled for hearings.