WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statement after New Jersey's Senate approved S2479, a proposal that would allow undocumented immigrants in New Jersey to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities and would also allow them to apply for state financial aid.

"I'm thrilled to see tuition equality take another step toward reality for all New Jerseyans. Thousands of DREAMers, who cannot afford to attend college without tuition assistance, are a step closer to achieving their full potential and becoming full contributors to New Jersey's economy through their ingenuity, skills, and hard work. We have already invested in these young men and women and they deserve the same opportunity as anybody else who grew up and attended school in New Jersey. I applaud our state Senate for ensuring that we harness and develop the talent offered by all of our students.

"As New Jersey comes closer to joining a growing number of states with tuition equity and state financial aid for DREAMers, the historic opportunity to pass comprehensive immigration reform remains before the House of Representatives. Let New Jersey's forward-thinking legislature serve as a guidepost to do the right thing for our country by providing all people a fair chance at a better life for themselves and their families."

Earlier this year,Senator Menendez helped write and pass the comprehensive legislation that would establish a clear pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, while allowing thousands of young men and women to achieve their full potential with the strongest national DREAM Act provisions in history. This proposal remains before the US House of Representatives.

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