NJ governor signs bill allowing ‘Dreamer’ students to receive financial aid

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Wednesday signed into law a bill that allows immigrants in the United States without legal permission going to college to apply for in-state financial aid.

Murphy said the state’s “Dreamers” are “just as much New Jerseyans” as his own children before signing the legislation at Rutgers University in Newark, according to NJ.com.

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“New Jersey stands by you and will continue to do so to help you live your dreams here in your home state,” Murphy said.

“Our ‘Dreamers’ grew up here, they were educated in our schools and they want to be part of the future economic success of the only home many of them have ever known, and more importantly, we want them to be part of that future, too.”

Democratic state Sen. Teresa Ruiz, who sponsored the bill, praised Murphy’s move, adding that the state takes pride in investing in “all of our students throughout their K-12 academic careers.”

Murphy dismissed Republican lawmakers who said the law gives certain immigrants a leg up over legal New Jerseyans, saying he would “invite any of those folks who have that attitude, beginning with our president, to come on into this room and allow me … to say ‘this is the United States of America.'”

Former Gov. Chris Christie (R) in 2013 signed a law allowing New Jersey residents without legal immgration status to pay in-state tuition at colleges in the state, but would not agree to allowing financial aid to those students.