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Committee advances bill to extend in-state tuition, financial aid to adult immigrant workers
Summary
The House Education Committee voted 6-3 to give House Bill 64 a do-pass recommendation. The bill would expand eligibility for in-state tuition and certain state financial aid to some adult immigrant workers who have taken adult education classes, paid New Mexico income taxes, or are applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
The House Education Committee on Wednesday voted 6-3 to give House Bill 64 a do-pass recommendation after hearing testimony from immigrant workers, college leaders and higher-education officials.
HB 64 would amend NMSA 21-1-4.6, the state's 2005 nondiscrimination and tuition-equity law, to let certain adult immigrant workers access in-state tuition and state financial aid for both credit and noncredit workforce training at community colleges. The bill creates three alternate eligibility paths: (1) at least two semesters of attendance in a state-recognized adult education program, (2) earned income and filed New Mexico income tax returns for at least two years, or (3) applicants for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Supporters told the committee the expansion would help address workforce shortages in child care, home-based health care, construction and trades, broadband installation and other high-demand fields. "Immigrants help meet growing needs for health care, home care, and supportive services that are key for older New Mexicans to have a dignified retirement," said Marcela Diaz of Somos Un Pueblo Nido, an immigrant-rights and workforce organization. Community college leaders, including Becky Rowley, president of Santa Fe Community College, and Vanessa Hocker of the New Mexico Independent Community Colleges, said the change would allow many nontraditional students who already live and work in New Mexico to pay in-state tuition rather than higher out-of-state rates.
Several immigrant workers and community advocates described personal barriers to training. "I pay my taxes," said Rigoberto Hidalgo, who testified that he paid double tuition as an immigrant student while working and studying culinary programs. "That is why I ask you to approve this proposed law, HB 64, which would help us a lot to continue with my studies." Other witnesses included Jessica Ines Martinez of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, Michael Leon Guerrero of the Center for Civic Policy and Marla Schoetz representing CNM Community College.
Patricia Trujillo, deputy cabinet secretary at the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED), told the committee HED's financial-aid office estimated HB 64 would increase demand on the Opportunity Scholarship by about $1,000,000 statewide. Trujillo said HED would provide more specific estimates about the number of affected students on request. Committee members also discussed the GROW Fund, a separate $60 million appropriation the sponsors said could be used for tuition support for noncredit workforce programs; supporters said GROW fund money is one likely source for program-specific aid under the bill.
Committee members asked how the bill would define adult-education attendance. Amber Gallup, director of adult education at HED, said adult-education programs vary by provider and schedule; attendance can be measured as two semesters consecutively or over a longer period, and the rulemaking process would define acceptable proof of participation. Members also pressed whether qualifying under the bill would make people full state residents for other purposes; sponsors said the legislation would create criteria to mirror the current residency framework used for higher-education eligibility but would not change other aspects of residency law.
Representative Joshua moved a do-pass recommendation; Representative Nada seconded. The committee approved the motion 6-3.
Supporters framed the proposal as a workforce and equity measure that would let taxpayers who work in New Mexico access training needed by employers. Opponents raised questions about long-term costs to the Opportunity Scholarship and whether the policy would create benefits for people who did not intend to establish full legal residency. HED and sponsors said existing program and residency rules, plus future rulemaking, would be used to verify eligibility and guard against fraud.
Next steps: HB 64 will be transmitted with a do-pass recommendation to the full House for further consideration.
