The Florida Legislature on Thursday, March 20 passed a bill granting undocumented immigrants in-state tuition rates at Florida colleges. 

Those who attend Florida high schools for at least four straight years, can now qualify to pay cheaper, in-state tuition rates regardless of immigration status. 

The bill (HB 851) passed with an 81 to 33 vote on Thursday evening. 

Speaker Will Weatherford lost almost half of his caucus on the vote and relied on Democrats to help push it through. More than 30 of the 74 Republicans opposed the bill.  

"If you'd have told me six months ago that 80 members of the Florida House would vote to for a bill to give in-state tuition for the children of undocumented immigrants, I would not have believed you…I think it was a historic victory for the children of this state that are waiting for that opportunity," he told reporters.

Approximately 700,000 undocumented immigrants currently reside in Florida. While some are in favor of the new bill, others disagree. 

"I believe that education is the most important opportunity the State government can offer its residents, and I am glad that it has been at the forefront of this legislative session," Representative Jeanette Nunez said. 

"I am proud that even though there may be an immigration gridlock in Washington, Florida is leading the country in offering opportunities for all students," she added. 

In the comment section of the website Flagerlive.com, a commenter wrote "That is not right. I hope the Senate shoots this down. If you are in our country, America, illegally and are undocumented, there is no reason you should pay the same tuition that I do. There is no reason my friend who lives legally in another state should pay more to go to a Florida college than an undocumented immigrant."