SALEM, Ore. – Supporters of a bill to allow some undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates packed several hearing rooms at the Oregon Capitol Wednesday. They refer to the legislation as “tuition equity.” A House committee held a public hearing on the issue.
Among those to testify was Karla Castaneda, a junior at Parkrose High School in Portland.
“I think people should really consider the idea that tuition equity is just hope and strength to many students like me," Castaneda says. "We all have to follow certain requirements. And it’s just in-state tuition, nothing else.”
One out-of-state student from Oregon State University testified against the bill. She fears giving in-state tuition to undocumented students would unfairly push higher education costs onto students like her.
Governor John Kitzhaber has already joined some business leaders to endorse the proposal.