ATLANTA — Democrats and Republicans at the state capitol are backing legislation that would give in-state college tuition to Dreamers.
Tuition to Georgia’s state colleges is much cheaper for Georgia residents than it is for students who don’t live in Georgia.
Dreamers live in Georgia. But because they technically immigrated illegally – typically as small children brought in by their parents – Georgia law excludes Dreamers from in-state tuition.
"They’re kind of in no-man’s land. We know we’re not going to send them back," said state Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), who is sponsoring a bill, HB 920, to give Dreamers in-state tuition. "What are we going to do? I believe they are our next door neighbors. They’re the kids who go to prom and homecoming with our kids. They’re our kids' best friends."
Clark’s bill would require Dreamers to attend a Georgia high school for three years – and to apply to college within two years of graduation – to be awarded in-state tuition status.
The savings are substantial – one in-state credit hour is $95 on Georgia State University’s website. Out-of-state is listed at $359.67.
Yet Republican politicians in Georgia, including Brian Kemp in 2018, have delivered election-year messages against giving breaks to immigrants lacking full legal status.
Clark admits he risks getting a Republican primary challenger in this year’s election. He says he is untroubled.
"I am somebody who supports the border wall. I do support Trump on that. I support tough immigration law. But we have a problem (with Dreamers) that goes back decades," Clark said.
Clark’s bill has been assigned to the House higher education committee – as has a similar bill introduced last week by House Democrats.
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