NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A push to offer in-state college tuition rates to students whose parents brought them into the country illegally is picking up unlikely momentum from some Republicans in Tennessee, a deeply conservative state that voted overwhelmingly for President Donald Trump and his tough stance on immigration.
If they succeed, Tennessee lawmakers would join the overwhelmingly left-leaning Washington, D.C., as the only other government to pass such an ordinance since Trump took office in January. Twenty other states already allow the in-state tuition.
To sell the idea, the bill’s supporters have had to maneuver carefully, steering the debate away from illegal immigration policy whenever possible.
Instead, they are promoting the measure as an economic driver and an educational opportunity for students who didn’t have a choice about crossing into the United States at a young age. They say the students are innocent victims of decades of political deadlock on immigration at the national level.
“I’m all for building the wall and U.S. sovereignty, closing our borders,” said Rep. Mark White, a Memphis Republican and a bill sponsor. “But we didn’t, and now we’re damaging innocent people.”
At the state Capitol, dozens of students whose parents crossed into the U.S. illegally and brought them along have gone lawmaker to lawmaker to share their personal stories. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam took time to meet and snap photos with them last month, and he has thrown his support behind the bill.
A House and Senate panel each have passed the proposal so far, and another House committee delayed a vote scheduled for Tuesday until next week.
