A proposal to allow illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates at UW schools will remain in the state budget.
The provision allows students who graduated from a Wisconsin high school to qualify for an in-state tuition break at any UW campus or technical college.
State Representative Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee) says undocumented workers are a part of Wisconsin, and the state needs to make an effort to help them. He says many communities already rely on the workforce they provide, and we need to make Wisconsin a place for them to learn and grow.
But Republican state Representative Robin Vos (R-Racine) argues the measure rewards those who break the law. He says it allows illegal immigrants to gain the same right and benefits as those who played by the rules and became citizens.
Supporters estimate the proposal would result in a few hundred students qualifying for in-state tuition. However, state Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay) says Wisconsin will see no real benefit from it because those students could not legally be employed here after they graduate. As a result, he says they're more likely to move from Wisconsin.
The Joint Finance Committee approved the measure Friday on a party line 12-4 vote.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:07)
