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Issue Brief

Access to Higher Education for Undocumented Immigrants - New Jersey

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

• An estimated 1,200 undocumented high school graduates in NJ might apply to public colleges each year if they could pay in-state tuition (Pew Hispanic Center) 

Past Policy & Program Milestones  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.

• The 1996 Illegal Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act

• Forbade state from granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants based on residency because those students would be paying less than out-of-state U.S. citizen 

• Senate No. 1036- January 28, 2008

•  Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at 

  public institutions of higher education. 

Current Policy & Programs  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

Key Organizations contacts for public and private organizations

• Government
• Executive Branch
•  
• Legislative Branch
• Members of the NJ State Senate Budget and Appropriation Committee- currently working on the immigration policy  
•  
• Judicial Branch 
•  
• Non-Profit
• Service Providing
•  
• Advocacy/Membership/Network

• NJIPN - The New Jersey Immigration Policy Network

• NJIPN is a broad-based coalition of New Jersey organizations dedicated to protecting immigrant rights and promoting inclusiveness and full participation of immigrants in the life of the country. The Network is committed to incorporating the experience of grassroots communities in its policy and advocacy work. As a distinct institution, the Network works to enhance the effectiveness of pro-immigrant organizations and movements, and to facilitate communication, common purpose, and collaboration among them. 

• Foundation
•  
• Other 

• Dream Activist - Undocumented Student: Action Resource Network
• The Hispanic Pew Center- Chronicling Latinos' diverse experiences in a changing America 

Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material

• Tests illegals can't pass (Legal, financial hurdles block college for many Aliens)-

• Survey of NJ state four-year public schools and of selected North Jersey community colleges found that some colleges are allowing undocumented students to pay the lower in-state tuition, apparently violating federal law.

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