Activists looking for the state to expand access to in-state tuition to successful students who are in the country illegally occupied a State House office Thursday.
The activists, many who are undocumented themselves, are asking Democratic Lowell Sen. Eileen Donoghue to support a bill that would grant in-state college tuition discounts for Massachusetts students who have completed three years and graduated from state high schools, regardless of their immigration status. Donoghue serves on the Higher Education Committee and hasn’t yet supported moving the bill on to a full Senate debate.
“We’re literally fighting for education, and if you look at it, what it is, we’re literally being denied education, and I think that’s ridiculous,” said Valeria Dovale of Roxbury, who has great grades, but won’t be able to afford a state college or university.
The senator’s staff patiently listened to the activists say their piece, but Donaghue herself was not in the State House.
Earlier in the day, student activists conducted a sit-in in Donoghue’s office carrying the same message, but left after State Troopers arrived, according to the State House News Service.
Lawmakers have until the Thanksgiving holiday to advance major legislation before their break for the year.
