Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a leading Democrat and potential presidential contender, has signed new legislation that grants access to student financial aid for all state residents, regardless of their immigration status. The change effectively allows illegal immigrants in Illinois to apply for state-based educational assistance.
The decision drew sharp criticism from conservative Congresswoman Mary Miller, R-Ill., who condemned the measure as unfair to citizens. She said the policy amounts to rewarding illegal immigrants and called it a “slap in the face” to Illinois families and students.
According to the text of the law, the aim is to create “equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits” across the state’s student population.
The bill specifies that “a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for financial aid and benefits.”
One of the sponsors of the measure, Democratic state Senator Celina Villanueva, praised Pritzker for approving the legislation. She stated that “this law is about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.”
Her office issued a statement explaining that the legislation “eliminates the patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting requirements that have excluded undocumented, DACAmented, and mixed-status students from critical aid.”
The law applies to all Illinois residents and qualifies them for financial aid programs provided through the state, municipalities, or public universities, according to Villanueva’s office.
The statement further emphasized that the law “builds upon Villanueva’s long-standing advocacy for immigrant and first-generation students by creating a more consistent and inclusive pathway to accessing support.”
“If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, you should have access to the same opportunities as your peers,” Villanueva added. “Illinois invests in all of our students, and we’re committed to helping them succeed.”
Miller, however, blasted the initiative in remarks to Fox News Digital, saying, “allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students.”
She went on to say, “Our state is drowning in debt, yet JB Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals. It’s absolutely shameful.”
The Illinois GOP also weighed in, with a spokesperson telling Fox News Digital that “once again, Governor Pritzker proves that he is prioritizing illegal immigrants at the expense of Illinois families.”
“Illinois taxpayers should not have their hard-earned taxpayer dollars pay for benefits to illegal immigrants who shouldn’t be here in the first place,” the spokesperson concluded.
{Matzav.com}
May I humbly suggest that the mayor and all of his wonderful supporters donate their salary to this worthy cause