New Jersey legislature denies in-state tuition for illegal immigrants

Sen. Ronald Rice (D., Essex), a sponsor, said he believed the plan was five votes short in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The measure was discussed in closed-door meetings, but was not put up for a vote in either the Senate or Assembly on the final day of the legislative session.

With that, the measure lost its last chance to be voted on before Gov.-elect Christopher J. Christie takes office next Tuesday. He opposes the plan.

Advocates said the measure would help the children of illegal immigrants who attend high school in New Jersey afford college and give them the chance to become more productive members of society. They said children brought to New Jersey by their parents should not be punished for that decision.

Supporters now must regroup after an eight-year push to see the measure approved. Some hope for national immigration reform. Rice said he hoped to discuss the measure with Christie to see if a compromise could be worked out.

Opponents balked at voting for a measure that would provide benefits to illegal immigrants during a time of economic turbulence and angst. Democrats control both houses, but were unable to muster the votes needed in the Senate, where they hold a 22-17 edge with one seat vacant. Republicans had promised uniform opposition.

"There are legal immigrants and U.S. citizens who are struggling today to provide for their children in the highest-taxed state in the country, and they're going to find that they have fewer seats [at public colleges] for their children" if the bill were to be approved, Assemblyman Scott Rudder (R., Burlington) said.