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Congressman Gosar Introduces Legislation to Close Loophole that Allows Illegal Aliens to Receive In-state Tuition

Washington, February 20, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C -- U.S Representative Paul Gosar, D.D.S. introduced H.R. 1190, which aims to prohibit an illegal alien from being eligible for postsecondary education benefits that are not available to all citizens and nationals of the United States.

“It is despicable that taxpayer funded institutions are blatantly ignoring the law and putting illegal aliens ahead of American students,” said Congressman Gosar.“American students should not be cut out of opportunities being offered to illegal aliens. Closing this loophole would ensure that American students are provided the same opportunities and benefits that are granted to illegal aliens.”  

Background:

An existing loophole allows illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition for large and prestigious universities, while American citizens must pay out-of-state tuition to attend the same university.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, “the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA, P.L. 104-208, Sec. 505) [already] bars states from providing ‘postsecondary education benefits’ to unlawfully present aliens based on their residence in the state unless all U.S. citizens or nationals are eligible for such benefits, regardless of their state of residence.” Loopholes, such as allowing illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates because they happened to graduate from an in-state high school, violate the intent of this law.

On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, D.D.S introduced H.R. 1190 that will prohibit illegal aliens from being eligible for postsecondary education benefits unless every citizen and national of this country is eligible to receive that benefit in no less of an amount, duration, or scope.

Original cosponsors: U.S. Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX-36) Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Scott DesJarlais, (R-TN-4), Jeff  Duncan (R-SC-3), Steve King (R-IA-04), Mark Meadows (R-NC-11), Randy Weber (R-TX-14)

Endorsed by: Federation for American Immigration Reform and NumbersUSA