Press Releases

At a United States Student Association rally supporting the DREAM Act outside the U.S. Capitol today, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) called upon the Colorado State Legislature to pass SB 170 and allow qualified Colorado high school graduates, regardless of immigration status, to pay in-state tuition rates at the state’s public colleges and universities.

"These kids are as American as anyone else; many of them have been in the country since they were infants and speak English better than you or I,” said Polis. "By denying these students—our future teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs—the opportunity to go to college and succeed, we are only shooting ourselves in the foot.”

This week, Polis will co-sponsor the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Minors) Act, a bipartisan proposal to create a pathway to both college and citizenship for thousands of young students who were brought to the United States years ago as children, which will be reintroduced in the U.S. House and Senate. Without SB 170, however, thousands of young Coloradans would never be able to take full advantage of the DREAM Act, since tuition equity requires state legislative action. Ten states have already enacted tuition equity, including Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

"SB 170 would increase state revenue, help close the achievement gap in our schools, enrich our workforce, and strengthen our economy. What's not to like?” continued Polis. “With this bill, Colorado has the opportunity to gain maximum benefit from comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act by ensuring that our future citizens are well-educated and ready for work. I call upon Colorado’s lawmakers to invest in our state’s future and pass SB 170.”

Congressman Polis also applauded Governor Bill Ritter for supporting the legislation and State Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver) and State Representative Joe Miklosi (D-Denver) for their efforts to advance the bill through the legislature.