New Florida Laws on Tuition, Law Licenses

"Gov. Rick Scott quietly signed legislation over the weekend that allows students who are undocumented immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition at Florida colleges and universities.  House Bill 851 was a priority of House Republicans, including Speaker Will Weatherford, who overcame opposition from Senate conservatives to achieve passage in the final days of the 2014 session." - Miami Herald, June 9, 2014.

"Undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and succeeded academically rejoice.  You can become a lawyer in good standing in the state of Florida.  Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed into law a bill proposed by state Rep. Gregory Steube, R Sarasota, allowing undocumented immigrants to receive a law license as long as certain conditions are met.  The law is a victory for Jose Godinez-Samperio, who lives in Largo, and other young people like him who are in the country illegally.  Godinez-Samperio’s family left Mexico when he was 9 and stayed long after their visas expired.  Godinez-Samperio was his high school’s valedictorian and graduated with honors from law school at Florida State University.  He pass the state bar exam in 2011, but his illegal status prohibited him for getting his professional license.  Godinez-Samperio had a work permit, driver’s license and Social Security number thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program approved by Obama in 2012." - Florida Watchdog, May 21, 2014.