Metro State moving ahead with tuition plan for illegal immigrants

Expressing "exceptional" confidence in its ability to withstand potential legal challenges, Metropolitan State University of Denver is moving forward with a controversial new tuition rate for undocumented students.

"The advice we've received says that this is absolutely the correct decision," Metro trustee Terrance Carroll said Friday.

Unveiled in June, the plan creates a special tuition rate for some Colorado students who are illegal immigrants.

According to school officials, 72 new and 24 returning students have already registered for classes using the new rate. Applications of another 50 to 75 students are being reviewed to see if they qualify.

About two weeks after the plan was announced, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers issued an opinion that the tuition-rate plan was illegal under state law.

But part of the reason for Metro State's confidence comes from recent actions of the Obama administration.  In June, the Department of Homeland Security said children who were brought into the country illegally by their parents would have attempts at deportation deferred for two years and can apply for work permits.