Senators unhappy with regents' immigration policy

ATLANTA - Fourteen Georgia state senators - including Jim Butterworth of Clarkesville - have sent a letter to the Georgia Board of Regents expressing their disappointment with what they see as a failure to comply with immigration laws.

In the letter sent Wednesday, the lawmakers say they are happy with the regents' recent actions aimed at bringing the state in compliance with in-state tuition eligibility.

The regents have appointed a committee to examine the most efficient ways to check residency status to prevent illegal immigrants from getting in-state tuition.

But the senators say that doesn't go far enough. They say Georgia law bars illegal immigrants from attending taxpayer-supported colleges and universities, regardless of tuition rates.

In addition to Sen. Butterworth, one other state Senator from northeast Georgia, Chip Pearson of Dawsonville, signed the letter.