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WAC Alert
May 21, 2003
"Student Adjustment Act"
1) Legislative Update on the In-State Tuition Bill
Thank you to all of you who contacted your legislators and the Governor on behalf of In-state Tuition bill for Immigrant Students - House
Bill 1079. Governor Locke signed the Bill into Law on May 7, after he vetoed
section 3. (Section 3 would have limited residency status for tuition purposes to students whose families hold work visas, temporary protected
visas, or who have received amnesty from the federal government. These students are already eligible for resident tuition.)
"Today, we are opening opportunities in our state to all deserving students who have resided in our state for years," the Governor said.
Thank you for all the support ELAN members. It paid off! Advocacy WORKS!! The FIVE MINUTES you sacrificed in your busy life to send a message
-- accomplished just what we hoped it would.
2) EDUCATION FOR ALL U.S. STUDENTS!!
TAKE ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative (even if you do not
know their names), dial the Capitol Switchboard at: 202-225-3121 and give
them your address. They will connect you. Urge them to co-sponsor the "Student Adjustment Act"
HR 1684.
MESSAGE: Please support the Student Adjustment Act, H.R. 1684. This
bill is urgently needed so that immigrant students who grew up in the U.S.
can achieve their dreams of going to college and so that they can be freed
up to fully contribute to our community. Can you please send me information
about the Representative's position on this issue?"
BACKGROUND: "Student Adjustment Act" Restoration of States' Rights to Determine Residency for Higher
Education Benefits. The "Student Adjustment Act" would repeal section 505of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of1996, restoring a state's right to determine criteria for in-state tuition
and other student assistance. Immigration Relief for Long-term Resident Students
The "Student Adjustment Act" would allow certain immigrant students to adjust their status to that of legal permanent resident. As introduced
in the 107th Congress, those eligible under the "Student Adjustment Act"
must meet all of the following requirements:
* Age. Immigrant students must be under 21 years old on the date of
application for relief. Some individuals who are 21 years old, but who
would have qualified within the last four years, also qualify if they are
enrolled in or have graduated from college.
* Scholastic requirement. Students must be enrolled at the 7th grade
level or above.
* Long-term U.S. residence. Students must have lived in the U.S. for
at least five years preceding the date of application for immigration
relief.
* Good moral character. Immigrant student must demonstrate good moral
character, a defined term in immigration law.
Higher Education Benefits for "Student Adjustment Act" Applicants
The "Student Adjustment Act" would ensure that students who are
applying for immigration relief under the Act would obtain Pell grants and
students loans on the same benefits as other students while their
application is being processed.
STATUS OF LEGISLATION
Representative CANNON-Utah introduced the "Student Adjustment Act" H.R. 1684
on April 9, 2003, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and
in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. In Washington
State, only one out of nine of our congressional members are co-sponsoring
this bill. Jim McDermott is a co-sponsor of this bill. We need the following congressman/woman to co-sponsor the "Student
Adjustment Act" H.R. 1684. Jennifer Dunn, Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Brian Baird, Doc Hastings, George
Nethercutt, Norman Dicks, and Adam Smiths.
For more information about the student "Student Adjustment Act" H.R. 1684
contact:
Julie Watts
Public Policy Associate
206-923-0467 ex.
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