For Anna Vite and Araceli Vazquez, the hope of going to college moved one step closer to reality Monday.

That's when an unusual, bipartisan coalition of state legislators introduced a Minnesota version of "The Dream Act," which would make a college education more affordable and more attainable for students in their situation.

Like an estimated 350-500 students who graduate from Minnesota high schools each year, both are the children of immigrants who came to the United States with their parents. Vite is now a senior at Washburn High School in Minneapolis; Vazquez is a junior at Southwest in Minneapolis. But they're not here legally.

So even though their parents are working and paying taxes, even though they've lived in the United States for years, even though they've been educated in American schools and will graduate from a Minnesota high school, when they apply to college, they won't be considered Minnesota residents.

In-state tuition is one goal
Vite says she'd be the first in her family to go to college. She'd like to go to the University of Minnesota or to St. Thomas University to study chemistry or aviation. Vazquez is considering the U or St. Catherine's, and would like to go into social work.

"I want to have a better job, a better life," Vazquez said. "I want to realize my dreams."

But for students with their status, it can be virtually impossible to get into college at all. Even if they are accepted, they're not eligible for scholarships or financial aid.

Further, if they enroll at the U or M or at a MnSCU campus, they don't qualify for in-state tuition. At MnSCU campuses, that means they'd pay nearly twice as much for tuition alone. At the U, they'd pay nearly three times as much.

The Dream Act legislation would change that, making them eligible for resident tuition rates at state schools if they meet certain requirements, including attending school in Minnesota for at least two years, and graduating from a Minnesota high school or obtaining a GED here.

Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, hugs Araceli Vazquez, of Minneapolis, after receiving a "diploma of leadership" for co-sponsoring Minnesota Dream Act legislation. Rep. Ray Cox, R-Northfield, the legislation?s author in the House, looks on. Union Advocate photo

'Just common sense'
"Our goal is not to waste the talents of our young men and women graduating from our high schools, but to help them get a great education so they can become great taxpayers," said Rep. Ray Cox, R-Northfield, a co-author of the legislation in the House.

"This is one of the most important pieces of legislation we can pass this year," said Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, another sponsor of the House legislation. "It's all about opportunity ? the opportunity for an education."

"I believe in people," said Sen. Bob Kierlin, R-Winona, an author of the Senate legislation. "People can do great things if you give them a chance."

Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, another co-author, noted that immigration is changing the face of Minnesota. His district, incorporating St. Paul's historically Latino West Side, used to have the largest Latino population in the state, he said. Now it's only the fourth largest.

He praised the "bravery and courage" of students like Vite and Vazquez "for educating us about their dreams and aspirations. I know that if he help them advance their education, advance their knowledge, they will gladly pay it back."

The legislation has support not only from Republican and DFL legislators, but also from legislators throughout the state.

Kierlin and Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, are co-authoring the Senate version (SF 627), which also has public support from Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, Cal Larson, R-Fergus Falls, Thomas Neuville, R-Northfield, Claire Robling, R-Jordan, and others.

The House legislation has additional support from Reps. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, Neva Walker, DFL-Minneapolis, and others.

Koering praised Mariano Espinosa, a staff member of the Minnesota Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, for his passionate work in bringing the legislation to life. Espinosa said supporters are now working to get the help of additional legislators and administrators in the state university systems.