PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Some 500 critics of Gov. Lincoln Chafee and a new policy allowing in-state tuition for undocumened immigrants at Rhode Island’s public colleges rallied Wednesday at the Statehouse, saying he is making the state a “sanctuary” for those who came to the United States illegally.
A long lineup of state legislators, tea party activists and others headlined the boisterous 90-minute rally at which crowd members waved American flags and held up signs reading “Impeach Chafee,” “Enforce our Laws” and “Yes Tea Party, No More Illegals.”
The protesters criticized not just the new tuition policy which allows undocumented immigrants to pay resident rates providing they meet certain requirements but also the way it was approved by an unelected higher education board.
“We are here to tell you, you are the governor, not a dictator,” John DePetro, a talk-radio show host at WPRO and master of ceremonies, said to cheers. “Gov. Chafee, you are not the king of Rhode Island!”
Critics said Chafee, an independent, circumvented the legislative process by urging the Board of Governors for Higher Education to adopt the change.
The board voted unanimously last week in favor of allowing immigrants in-state tuition after years of inaction by the General Assembly. Only students who attend a Rhode Island high school for at least three years and graduate are eligible, and the students have to commit to seeking legal status.
State Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick, who was among the rally’s speakers, called it “absolutely insane” that “we’re giving away the United States of America to foreign people.”
