EWU supports legal residency act

The Eastern Washington University board of trustees voted unanimously Thursday to encourage members of the Washington state congressional delegation to support legislation that would provide legal residency to students who were brought into the county illegally by their parents.

“Although Washington State currently allows in-state tuition for qualified undocumented students, without provisions similar to those found in the DREAM Act, those same graduating students have no chance to legalize their status and thereby attain meaningful employment and careers,” states the letter from the trustees.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, first introduced in Congress during George W. Bush’s presidency, was reintroduced last year. It would provide temporary legal residency to undocumented students “of good moral character,” as well as a path to permanent residency.

EWU “is uniquely qualified to help reach that growing and vital group of young people,” the trustees’ letter states.