Wednesday, the debate over illegal immigration hits Virginia.  One group is pushing to grant in-state tuition for illegal aliens, with conditions.

State Delegate Alfonso Lopez introduced House Bill 779, nicknamed the Dream Act, but the Democrat faces a big hurdle trying to gain Republican support...(More)

Lopez Bill: Prenatal Care for Recent Legal Immigrants

by ARLnow.com | January 18, 2012 at 10:45 am 

Newly-elected delegate Alfonso Lopez (D) has introduced a bill that would provide prenatal care for recent legal immigrants.

Low-income women in their first five years of lawful residence in the United States are eligible for a number of pregnancy services under Virginia’s Medicaid system, including payment of labor and delivery costs and costs associated with the child once he or she is born. Prenatal costs, however, are not covered. Del. Lopez’s bill would change that...(More)

Latino group opposes crackdown, pushes Va. DREAM Act

By: WESLEY P. HESTER | Richmond Times Dispatch 
Published: January 18, 2012

Newly elected Del. Alfonso H. Lopez, D-Arlington, is the sponsor of House Bill 779, legislation similar to the DREAM Act, which has languished in Congress for years.

Lopez's bill would provide in-state college tuition to undocumented students so long as they graduated from a Virginia high school and have lived in the state for at least three years. His or her parents would also have to be taxpayers.

"The fact is that the policies we have right now as they relate to in-state tuition are harmful to generations of young people who know no other nation but … the United States of America," Lopez said...(More)