Oregon Public Broadcasting

A perennial hot-button issue is back before the Oregon legislature this year.

Several lawmakers Monday introduced a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to pay tuition at Oregon public universities at the same rate as legal in-state residents.

Right now those students can attend, but have to pay the much higher out-of-state rate.

Republican Senator Frank Morse says he was originally against the idea. But he says he's changed his mind and now supports the proposal.

Frank Morse: "To those that would say that this is an immigration issue and we need to send these children home -- come on, get real. A student who has been here for their entire life, are we going to send them back to an environment which is totally foreign to them?"

Opponents say it would make Oregon more attractive to illegal immigrants.

Eleven states including Washington and California already offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants.