Republicans are working with Democrats in the Virginia legislature to try to enact the state’s version of the DREAM Act this year. The legislation would provide in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants who have lived in the state for three years.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Del. Alfonso H. Lopez (D-Arlington) said he will try for the third time to get Virginia’s version of the DREAM Act passed. He will reportedly be joined by state Senator Donald McEachin (D-Henrico). A Republican, Del. Thomas Davis Rust (R-Fairfax), also followed suit and introduced his version of the DREAM Act on Wednesday, along with Lopez, during the first day of the General Assembly session.
Rust reportedly “changed his mind” on the issue “after President Barack Obama’s announcement to not enforce deportation of undocumented students and the implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.”
The various proposals reportedly “would allow in-state college tuition rates for undocumented students as long as they graduated from a Virginia high school and have lived in the state for three years, among other requirements.”
More than 12 states have passed similar legislation. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) recently signed his state’s version of the DREAM Act.