April 29, 2013 03:41 PM UTC

Colorado ASSET Act Signed Into Law

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

Photo by Colorado House Democrats

UPDATE: FOX 31's Eli Stokols:

“It’s perseverance,” [former Rep. Val] Vigil told FOX31 Denver afterward. “You know when you truly believe in an issue, you don’t give it up.”

…Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, a former teacher and principal, described the despair of one of his former students who graduated high school only to watch state lawmakers, for the last three years, defeat legislation aimed at making college more affordable for undocumented students.

“That student right now is working in a fast food restaurant, waiting for the chance to fulfill his dreams of one day becoming an engineer,” Johnston said. “Well, today, we’re here to tell you that the doors are open and the dream is alive.” [Pols emphasis]

——

Another long-sought goal achieved by the 69th Colorado General Assembly, reports Huffington Post's Matt Ferner:

Undocumented immigrant students in Colorado can celebrate today — a bill that grants undocumented students in-state college tuition rates was signed into Colorado law by Gov. John Hickenlooper today.

Colorado now joins thirteen other states to allow undocumented immigrant students who graduate from state high schools to attend college at an in-state tuition rate. According to The Associated Press, some of Colorado's undocumented students had been paying more than three times higher than the rate in-state students pay.

A congratulatory statement from Sen. Mark Udall:

Mark Udall, who has been a vocal advocate for comprehensive and accountable immigration reform, welcomed the signing into law of Colorado's ASSET bill — legislation that secures fair tuition rates for students who attend at least three years of high school in Colorado, regardless of their immigration status. Udall said Colorado's leadership on this issue should spur Congress to follow suit and pass common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.

"Colorado is leading the way to ensure that every Colorado student, regardless of where they come from or their immigration status, has equal access to opportunity. I am proud to stand with Gov. Hickenlooper and my colleagues in the Colorado General Assembly in welcoming this important milestone, the signing of the ASSET Bill, and what it means for high-achieving high school graduates and our future economic growth," Udall said. "I will take Colorado's example with me to Washington and continue fighting for a balanced, bipartisan immigration-reform proposal. I stand with business, religious, agricultural and labor leaders — and Coloradans of all backgrounds — when I say the time has come for Congress to set partisanship aside and follow suit. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act."

We'll round up more statements and coverage as they come in.