Governor Christie Signs Immigrant Tuition Act

UNION CITY, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has held a ceremonial signing of a bill that lowers tuition costs at public colleges for New Jersey students who lack lawful immigration status.

Christie signed the bill privately last month, the day after the Legislature agreed to drop financial aid eligibility for the students. New Jersey is one of the most recent states to pass the so-called "DREAM Act" legislation, which extends cheaper in-state tuition rates to qualifying students who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children.

Similar legislation has stalled at the federal level.

Christie also met with state Hispanic leaders Tuesday at an elementary school in heavily Hispanic Union City.

DREAM Act supporters applaud the move, but say the elimination of financial aid eligibility will still make college unattainable for many immigrant students.