DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Senate is debating a proposal to allow illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges.

Senate Bill 170 would apply to students who are in the country illegally and who have graduated from Colorado high schools.

Backers say that these students were brought into the country illegally as children by their parents. They say it makes economic sense to help them get an education.

Opponents say it would violate a federal law that bars states from offering illegal immigrants any benefit that's not given to citizens from other states. Despite that law, 10 states have passed laws allowing in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students.

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