Chris Christie Will Sign ‘Dream’ Act, Calls Press ‘Obsessed’ with Lane Closure Controversy

After being buffeted for weeks over a controversy over lane closures on the George Washington Bridge and questions of political retribution, Gov. Chris Christie attempted to change the subject — to that of immigrants and education.

Today he announced he will support the “Dream Act” which will allow undocumented immigrants who graduated high school in New Jersey to be eligible for in-state tuition rates. Today’s decision is a compromise between Christie and the Democratic-controlled state legislature.

The two sides have been feuding over the legislation, with Democrats alleging Christie supported “tuition equality” only before his landslide victory in November. He had stated his support in October at a Latino Leadership Alliance gala, but last month he said he would not support the current legislation.

Today’s compromise will remove state aid eligibility for undocumented immigrants, with Christie defending his decision not to include state financial aid eligibility in the legislation because it would make New Jersey a “magnet state for undocumented students.” At a press conference he said he expects the state senate and state assembly to pass the bill and he is owed an apology for those who said he only supported tuition equality because it could help him politically.

“This will once again be an example of New Jersey showing how you can come to a bipartisan agreement, not that we agree on everything, but that we find a way to bring people together and come to a position and benefit all the people of this state and shame on all the people, shame on all of you who accused me and others of playing politics with this issue, you were wrong,” Christie said.

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