Lower tuition OK’d for some illegal immigrants

Persons who entered the country illegally and were attending Indiana public colleges when a state immigration law passed two years ago would again be eligible for in-state tuition rates under a bill approved by the Indiana House.

Rep. Rebecca Kubacki of Syracuse said the change would help a couple hundred students who had the rules changed on them after they had already started work on their college degrees. She said many of those students came to Indiana as young children and have been caught in the middle of the national debate over immigration laws.

Affected immigrants still couldn't receive state college financial aid and new students wouldn't be eligible for in-state tuition.

The House voted 70-23 on Monday in favor of the bill. The Senate previously approved its own version.