A man holds a sign saying Mexicans Aren't Going Anywhere in front of the Roundhouse.
Marcos Chavez takes part in a demonstration at the Capitol in Santa Fe Feb. 5. Photo by Mia Casas.

Free college regardless of immigration status? Students like it.

 
 
 
 
 
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House Bill 64 aims to ensure that all New Mexicans can attend state colleges and universities—and access state scholarships—regardless of immigration status.

Here is what student’s at the University of New Mexico thought about the bill:

“I think it’s great,” said Alyssa Gurule, 19. “That should just like already be a thing.”

Avi White, a 20-year-old student agreed, saying, “I think everyone has a right to education, especially since education is very, very important to, you know, living.” He added: “Most people need a bachelor’s degree at this point to get a pretty average baseline job. So yeah, I think that’s great.”

Gabriela Baca, 20, said: “I think everybody should have access to equal education, to higher education so, regardless of citizenship status.”

The bill passed the House Education Committee and the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee. It now heads to the House floor and will need to be approved by the Senate before it would head to the governor’s desk.

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Mia Casas

Mia Casas is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Journalism and Theatre at the University of New Mexico. She became a student reporter at KUNM News in 2023 after she was awarded a New Mexico Local News Internship.

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