A federal program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) temporarily protects some young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children from deportation. That lets them attend state schools in many places, including some in Georgia. But state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, says legally undocumented students in Georgia still have to pay out-of-state tuition rates. The cost can be about three times higher than in-state rates, depending on the school.
“To qualify for in-state tuition at a Georgia public college or university, you have to be not only in Georgia – a Georgia resident – but you have to have legal status within the United States,” McKoon says.
At issue is the term “legal status.” Immigration advocates have filed two lawsuits in Georgia, arguing DACA recipients have legal status. McKoon says that’s not what deferred action does.
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