Republican Sen. Boyer Introduces Bill to Provide In-State Tuition to All Arizona High-School Graduates
For Immediate Release: February 1, 2021
Contact: Reyna Montoya, reyna@alientoaz.org
Contact: Dallin Adams, kdadams@americanbic.biz
Republican Sen. Boyer Introduces Bill to Provide In-State Tuition to All Arizona High-School Graduates
PHOENIX, AZ — On February 1, 2021 Republican State Sen. Paul Boyer (R. LD20) introduced SCR 1044 in the 55th Arizona Legislative Session, which will provide in-state tuition to all students who graduate from a high school in Arizona, regardless of immigration status.
The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) and ALIENTO strongly support Senator Boyer’sin-state tuition referral bill. As business and community leaders in Arizona, we believe that all people who graduate from Arizona high schools, both public and private, should have the opportunity to enroll in an Arizona university or community college as an in-state resident. This bill specifically applies to all Arizona high school graduates, including our Arizona Dreamers who have lived here for at least 2 years and graduated from an Arizona high school.
There are approximately 2,000 Dreamers who graduate from Arizona high schools each year. This legislation enables these students to pay their own way through college at the in-state tuition rate, preparing themselves to be self-sufficient, productive, contributors to our economy. For every college graduate earning a four-year university degree, the state averages a $660,000 return on its investment (College Success Arizona).
Governor Ducey recently said, “Kids that went to high school in Arizona are Arizona kids, and they should have the same opportunities as other Arizona kids.”
Dallin Adams, ABIC’s Arizona Coalition Director, “Thank you Sen. Boyer for standing up for all Arizona students. Our economic future depends on educating as many people as possible, so they can achieve their potential to the benefit of themselves, their communities and our state economy.”
Reyna Montoya, founder & CEO of Aliento and DACA recipient, “we are so grateful for the courage of Sen. Boyer to ensure all our students have a pathway after high school. Our students are ready to contribute to their beloved Arizona and this bill will give them an opportunity to achieve their educational dreams.”
Multiple surveys indicate that a strong majority of Arizonans regardless of party affiliation support giving these students in-state tuition rates.
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About ABIC & ALIENTO:
The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) promotes commonsense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens.
ALIENTO is a nonprofit leadership organization based in Arizona with a national reach that transforms trauma into hope and action with the dreamers, immigrant community, and allies through arts & healing programs, leadership development opportunities, and advocacy.