Sponsor: Rep Scott Fitzpatrick, District 158 (R) of Barry County

Recommendation: Support

This bill changes the law to prohibit a student in unlawful immigration status in the United States from receiving a postsecondary education public benefit, including students who have pending cases under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) guidelines. The bill also prohibits a Missouri public higher education institution from offering a tuition rate to any student with an unlawful immigration status that is less than the rate charged to citizens or nationals of the United States whose residence is not in Missouri and requires that the students be charged the same tuition rate as international students.

The bill repeals the provision prohibiting a student from using an award under the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program to enroll in a course of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity.

Maintaining benefits for those that are unlawfully within our nation's borders is a misuse of taxpayer's dollars. Missouri Alliance for Freedom works diligently to ensure the United States, and specifically Missouri, remains a land of opportunity and we welcome all those that wish to seek out that opportunity but such attempts must be done with respect to our laws.