The California Supreme Court began hearing arguments Tuesday on a lawsuit that would bar illegal immigrants f
rom receiving in-state tuition at state universities and colleges. The Los Angeles Times reported that some justices appeared skeptical of a conservative group’s lawsuit to keep an estimated 25,000 illegal residents from taking advantage of cheaper tuition – a savings of as much as $19,000 a year.
However, an appeals court sided with the lawsuit, agreeing California did not have a right to pass a law in 2001 to give the cheaper tuition when a federal immigration law prohibits giving special benefits to illegal immigrants that citizens can’t obtain.
The conservative group took on the case of out-of-state citizens who couldn’t get the in-state tuition rates. The California law allows any student who graduates from a state high school to qualify for in-state tuition, including teenagers who don’t have the legal papers to be here.
The California Supreme Court expects to rule within 90 days. The case may end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
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