Gov. Perry Signed Legislation Making Texas The First State To Offer In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants…
…and Vicente Fox thinks it’s great…
Perry Signed A Bill In June 2001 That Made Texas The First State To Offer In-State Tuition To Illegal Immigrants. A bipartisan coalition in Texas pushed for new policies there, culminating in June (2001) when Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, signed a bill to make Texas the first state to offer undocumented immigrants in-state tuition.” John Gehring, “Undocumented Grads To Get Tuition Breaks From Calif. Institutions, Education Week, 10/31/01
“In 2001, Perry signed into law the first state “DREAM Act,” which allows children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state universities…”
Union Leader
In 2007, Perry Said He Would Oppose Efforts To Repeal The Law. “Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday he will oppose efforts to repeal a law, which he signed six years ago, giving tuition breaks to illegal immigrants attending state univeristies.” Clay Robison And R.G. Ratcliffe, “Perry To Stick By Law Giving Tuition Breaks To Illegal Immigrants.”
Houston Chronicle, 1/12/07
Perry: “I’m For Leaving The Law Like It Is Because I Think It Serves A Good Purpose.” Clay Robison And R.G. Ratcliffe, “Perry To Stick By Law Giving Tuition Breaks To Illegal Immigrants.” Houston Chronicle, 1/12/07
Perry Continued To Support The Law In 2010. “Even so, Gov. Rick Perry supports the law aiding illegal immigrant students. In a recent debate, he said the students are on the path to citizenship.” Katherine Leal Unmuth, “Number Of Illegal Immigrants Getting In-State Tuition For Texas Colleges Rises,” Dallas Morning News, 3/15/10
During The Fall Semester Of 2009, Over 12,000 Students Took Advantage Of The Law. “During the fall semester, 12,138 students - about 1 percent of all Texas college students - benefited from the state law granting in-state tuition, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Most of the immigrants among those students are illegal, and some others are not legal permanent residents or U.S. citizens.” Katherine Leal Unmuth, “Number Of Illegal Immigrants Getting In-State Tuition For Texas Colleges Rises,” Dallas Morning News, 3/15/10
Recipients Collected Roughly $33 Million In Financial Aid Between Fall 2004 And Summer 2008. “Texas awarded about $33.6 million in state and institutional financial aid to those students between fall 2004 and summer 2008.” Katherine Leal Unmuth, “Number Of Illegal Immigrants Getting In-State Tuition For Texas Colleges Rises,” Dallas Morning News, 3/15/10