Bill would end tuition break for illegal immigrants
By Scott Rothschild
LJWorld.com
January 23, 2008
Topeka The first of what is expected to be several bills aimed at illegal immigration was introduced Tuesday.
This one, by state Sen. Peggy Palmer, R-Augusta, would prohibit the employment of undocumented workers, and repeal a law that allows in-state tuition for some undocumented students.
Its tough, but fair and humane, Palmer said in describing Senate Bill 458.
The bill would repeal the 2004 law that allows the children of some illegal immigrants to pay the same lower tuition rates as legal Kansans at state universities, community colleges and vocational schools. Under the law, the student must have lived in Kansas at least three years, graduated from a Kansas high school, and seek or promise to seek legal status.
In Kansas, 243 students are receiving the in-state tuition under the law, according to the Kansas Board of Regents. Most of those 193 are attending community colleges; 46 are at state universities, including 11 at Kansas University; three are at technical schools, and one is at a technical college.
State Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, is expected to introduce anti-illegal immigration legislation in the House.
