The Act would amend existing provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, explicitly stating that only individuals who are lawfully present can benefit from in-State tuition rates. This change would enforce more stringent verification processes at public colleges and universities, mandating these institutions to regularly check and confirm students' immigration statuses, further emphasizing legal residency as a prerequisite for financial benefits such as reduced tuition fees. The intended effect is to restore fairness in educational funding and disincentivize illegal immigration.
Summary
SB3507, known as the 'Put American Students First Act', aims to prohibit any individual who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence from receiving in-State tuition rates at public institutions of higher education. This legislation addresses perceived discrepancies in tuition rates based on residency status, focusing on a claim that non-resident aliens are benefiting from State subsidies that are unavailable to U.S. citizens and legal residents. Proponents of the bill argue that such financial support creates unfair advantages that discourage legal immigration and penalize lawful residents who pay higher out-of-State tuition rates.
Contention
Opponents of the bill voice concerns that it may unfairly penalize students who may have arrived in the United States at a young age or through no fault of their own, effectively denying them access to higher education opportunities. Critics argue that the legislation furthers a narrative of exclusion rather than fostering inclusivity in educational access. Moreover, there are fears that it could disproportionately affect marginalized communities and students from lower-income backgrounds who depend on affordable education to advance their socioeconomic status.
America First ActThis bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed sanctuary jurisdictions under the bill).The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.The bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using federal funds to support certain non-U.S. nationals.