Representative Denise Provost is fighting for better opportunities for children of illegal immigrants. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville representatives are supporting a new measure, picking up where the aborted DREAM act left off. Representative Denise Provost has proposed a bill that would support illegal immigrants and allow them to pay in-state rates for tuition to state universities if they meet a high academic standard.

The bill has found support with Governor Deval Patrick, who said it was of utmost importance to the Committee on Higher Education. It was proposed by Representative Provost, along with Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz of Boston and Rep. Alice Wolf of Cambridge. The rest of the Somerville delegation, including Patricia Jehlen, Sal DiDomenico, Carl Sciortino, and Tim Toomey have also supported the bill.

“This small number of new students could be accommodated by the 29 campuses at virtually no additional cost,” said Provost in a statement. She estimated that the increased opportunity for illegal immigrants, who would pay taxes, could be as much as $7.4 million in revenue.

“These students are not eligible for financial aid and thus currently must pay out-of-state rates in full or abandon their goal of an advanced degree,” said Sciortino. “Allowing them to pay in-state tuition through legislation would generate more revenue for Massachusetts public colleges, and the greater number of educated workers resulting from enrollment would increase tax revenue by millions of dollars in the Commonwealth.”

“We think it is sensible for the Commonwealth. People who have been in our high schools and done well should be able to go carry on at University pending some serious immigration reform,” said American Civil Liberties Union representative Nancy Walker. “I think this has been recognized even by Congress, that this is the way to go. And we are pleased that the governor has responded favorably to it.”