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State Rep Looks To Restore In-State Tuition For Undocumented Students At UW, Tech Schools

By
State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee)
State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee)

State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa is trying to revive three measures that she says would help Hispanic and Latino residents in Wisconsin and improve community safety.

Five years ago, Democrats controlling state government allowed undocumented students who had met certain requirements to enroll in the UW or state technical college systems at in-state tuition rates. Two years later, Republicans controlling state government took away the so-called “tuition equity plan.”

Milwaukee Technical College student Mario Gomez, who describes himself as “undocumented and unafraid,” would like to see the in-state tuition program brought back. Gomez calls it part of a promise to Wisconsin children.

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“We were told at an early age, if we worked hard, we too could have the opportunity to attend college and reach our dream jobs,” Gomez said, “but without access to in-state tuition, financial aid or eligibility for most scholarships, this is nearly impossible.”

Gomez says he hopes state Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa and some other Milwaukee Democrats succeed in reviving the in-state tuition benefit.

Zamarripa is also trying again to allow undocumented residents to get a temporary drivers card from the state DOT, calling it a way to improve public safety. “Individuals will be able to apply for a drivers card only after successfully learning the rules of the road,” she said.

Zamarrippa says at least one assembly Republican supports the drivers card plan. She says Gov. Walker tentatively backs a third measure, that would give state employees the option of taking off on March 31 for Cesar Chavez Day, as long as they worked on another paid holiday instead.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos did not respond to a request for comment about the three bills.