N.J. renews push to aid illegal-immigrant students

NEWARK, N.J. - A renewed push is under way to grant in-state college tuition to illegal-immigrant students in New Jersey who live there for several years and complete high school.

A state panel on immigrant issues recently endorsed the idea, which has the support of Gov. Corzine.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) is cosponsoring similar federal legislation, called the DREAM Act. The College Board, made up of 5,000 schools, endorsed the idea last week.

State rules now require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition rates, even if they've spent most of their lives in New Jersey schools. Opponents of the tuition proposal say such incentives encourage illegal immigration and reward lawbreakers. - AP