Gov. Chris Christie Postpones Signing Of Immigrant Tuition Act
UNION CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has postponed the ceremonial signing of a bill that lowers tuition costs for students who entered the United States illegally.
Christie signed the bill privately last month, the day after the Legislature agreed to drop financial aid eligibility for the students.
On Monday, he had planned to meet with Hispanic leaders in Union City and hold a public signing at Colin Powell Elementary School. A spokesman says the signing will be rescheduled for later this week to accommodate all those who want to attend.
The bill extends the cheaper in-state tuition rate to New Jersey residents who were brought to this country illegally as children.
The issue had become a distraction for the Republican and possible 2016 presidential candidate.
Christie had said he was against the bill's original draft because, by offering financial aid, it would make New Jersey a magnet state for immigrants and cost too much for taxpayers.
"I care about taking care of New Jersey kids, whether they're citizens or undocumented," Christie told reporters last month.
When told the bill left at least one immigrant student still feeling like a second-class citizen, Christie fired back: "You can't be a second-class citizen if you're not a citizen."
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