NY Democrats Give College Tuition Aid to Illegal Immigrants but Block Aid Expansion for Gold Star Families

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The New York State budget includes $27 million for college tuition assistance for illegal immigrants while failing to expand tuition assistance for children of parents killed or disabled while serving in the military.
The measure to expand tuition aid for children in Gold Star families was blocked by Democrats in a committee in the New York State Assembly by a 15 to 11 vote.
The Assembly’s Higher Education Committee chair, Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan, explained the vote by citing the budget.
The New York Post reports:
Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan), who chairs the committee, said budget constraints weighed against the program expansion, which she estimated would have cost several hundred thousand dollars.
“We will make every effort to ensure going forward, we have some additional resources allocated to the program so that as an entitlement, it is not falling short of the needs of our military families,” she said.
Currently, New York State provides free tuition for children of veterans and is restricted to those disabled or killed in combat areas around the world. The bill that was blocked would have expanded the program to official duty beyond combat.
Earlier this year, both legislative chambers in New York State passed the Dream Act giving illegal alien children access to New York State grants and loans putting them on the same footing as American citizen children.
New York Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo disagreed with the Assembly vote and promised to add additional funding to expand the free college tuition program for Gold Star families.
Cuomo also touted the expansion of the state’s free college tuition program called The Excelsior Scholarship.
As New York’s groundbreaking tuition-free college program enters its third year, eligibility will be extended to students whose families make up to $125,000 annually.
All New Yorkers deserve access to higher education, and we’re making that possible. pic.twitter.com/4tnmGqffUW
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 8, 2019
On Twitter, President Trump slammed New York State Democrats:
In New York State, Democrats blocked a Bill expanding College Tuition for Gold Star families after approving aid for illegal immigrants. No wonder so many people are leaving N.Y. Very Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2019
It’s outrageous New York State is favoring illegal aliens over the children of veterans disabled or killed while serving our country.