Todd Gardenhire makes a point in this file photo.NASHVILLE — State senators gave overwhelming approval on Thursday to Sen. Todd Gardenhire’s bill granting in-state tuition rates at state colleges to undocumented Tennesseans brought to the U.S. as children and designated as “lawfully present” by the federal government.
The Chattanooga Republican’s measure passed on a 21-12 vote. The bill remains in the House Budget subcommittee.
“I was surprised at the margin,” Gardenhire said. “That’s pretty remarkable. I think this margin gives it a real boost in the House. They were sort of waiting to see what we did.”
Gardenhire’s proposal would affect students deemed lawfully present in the U.S. through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
If the bill passes the House, the would-be students would be able to attend University of Tennessee and Tennessee Board of Regents institutions at in-state tuition rates. Currently, they have to pay out-of-state rates that can be triple the in-state rate, posing a difficult and for many impossible financial barrier to those aspiring to go to college.