Today, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring issued an opinion to Virginia educational institutions to allow in-state tuition rates for otherwise eligible Virginia students who are approved for the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. By the end of 2013, there were about 8,100 Virginians who were approved under DACA.

 

This is excellent news and we want to make sure the Attorney General knows how much we appreciate him speaking out for immigrant students! Please call him at 804-786-2071 to say “thank you.”

 

This is a big victory for students like Linda Peña and Dulce Elias.

 

Linda Peña, a DACA student attending Tidewater Community College and a Virginia Organizing South Hampton Roads Chapter leader, currently pays the out-of-state tuition rate and receives no federal financial aid, even though she’s lived in Virginia Beach for more than 10 years.

 

“This is a big step in the right direction,” Linda said. “Virginia students who were educated here are now going to have an opportunity to attend some of the best universities in the country. I want to personally thank the Attorney General for his leadership on this issue. This directive is going to mean so much for so many promising students in Virginia.”

 

Dulce Elias is a Virginia Organizing Harrisonburg Chapter leader and rising high school senior. She has lived in Harrisonburg since age five and is looking forward to attending college in her home state.

 

“Having in-state tuition will be such a relief to me and my parents because I won’t have to worry about paying three times as much as others to get a great education!” said Dulce.

 

Virginia Organizing will not stop working for comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for all Virginians, but today, it is important to celebrate this victory.

 

Congratulations to all the DACA students in Virginia!