House Advances Immigration Tuition Bill

The Kansas House has advanced a bill that would repeal a 2004 state law allowing some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public universities and colleges.

Monday’s 69-49 unrecorded vote on first-round approval sends the measure to final action Tuesday. Passage would send it to the Senate.

The law has been the target of criticism since it was enacted.

Critics argue the policy violates federal law, encourages illegal immigration and is unfair to out-of-state and foreign students at Kansas universities and colleges.

Supporters say it helps people who were brought illegally to Kansas by their parents as children. They note the children have met all other requirements to earn the lower in-state tuition.

The State Board of Regents says 413 students enrolled under the law last fall.