In-state Tuition for Undocumented Students

Recently, Governor Chafee of Rhode Island has voiced his support for a controversial measure: allowing undocumented students the access to reduced college tuition in the state of Rhode Island. The new policy entails that the student has to have attended a public RI high school, received a diploma, lived in RI after high school for at least three years, and taken an affidavit saying that he has intentions of becoming a legal citizen as soon as he becomes eligible. Chafee advocates this policy because he believes it will "improve the intellectual and cultural life of our state while strengthening our workforce and helping our economy". He and others believe that students will be left behind if they don't provide assistance. One of those others is Governor Rick Perry. He and Mitt Romney have been at odds with the issue for quite some time. People like Romney believe that accepting this policy will encourage illegal immigration. From a previous debate, Perry said, "I think you don't have a heart. This was a state issue. Texans voted for it and I still support it greatly." Romney then weighed in, "I think that if you're opposed to illegal immigration, it doesn't mean that you don't have a heart, it means you have a heart and a brain." This issue could be settled as soon as Monday night.