Senator Dan Debicella (R-21) praised Governor Jodi Rell for her veto of legislation to provide in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.  “As the first person in my family to go to college, I understand the desire for all families to build a better life for their children.  But in a world of limited resources, we need to prioritize financial aid for legal residents over special benefits for illegal aliens—and the Governor has done just that,” said Senator Debicella.

Senator Debicella said that the Governor has increased funding for financial aid to middle class families by 67% in the budget passed by the State Senate on Monday.  “We have increased financial aid for legal residents from $32.3 million this year to $54.1 million next year,” said Senator Debicella.  “Helping more middle class students go to college is a real issue in our state, and I am proud the Governor and the legislature has made that the priority.”

Governor Rell vetoed House Bill 5656, An Act Concerning Access to Postsecondary Education, which would allow students who entered the country illegally to get in-state tuition at the University of Connecticut and other state colleges.  Illegal immigrants currently have to pay approximately $21,000 to go to UConn, but would only have to pay the in-state rate of approximately $8,000 under the bill the Governor vetoed.

The bill passed the State Senate by a 21-15 vote, and the State House by a 76-67 vote—significantly less than the two thirds needed to override the Governor’s veto.

Senator Debicella led the argument against the bill in the State Senate, saying that “Connecticut should prioritize helping middle class, legal residents pay for college before helping subsidize illegal immigrants’ college education.” 

Senator Debicella said he was proud of voting for the budget on Monday which contained the 67% increase the Connecticut Independent College Grant program for private schools and the Connecticut Public College Grant program for public schools.  “The Governor has her priorities straight, and I fully support her decision to help our middle class before illegal immigrants,” said Senator Debicella.

Senator Debicella added that immigrant reform is needed at the federal level.  “My heart goes out to all families who yearn for a better life for their kids.  But the answer is not to reward illegal behavior; the answer is to reform the federal laws to make it easier for hard working, committed immigrants to earn legal residency,” said Senator Debicella.