Cranston Republicans Scrap Over Tuition for Immigrants

A mail sent by Mayor Ken Hopkins’ campaign draws sharp response from Barbara Fenton-Fung

The front of a mailer sent by the Hopkins' campaign.
The front of a mailer sent by the Hopkins’ campaign.
Share
The front of a mailer sent by the Hopkins' campaign.
The front of a mailer sent by the Hopkins’ campaign.
Cranston Republicans Scrap Over Tuition for Immigrants
Copy

College tuition for undocumented immigrants has become an issue in the Cranston mayoral Republican primary between incumbent Mayor Ken Hopkins and challenger state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung.

A mailer sent by Hopkins’ campaign this week reads in part: “Should illegal immigrants get free college tuition? Barbara Fenton-Fung says yes.”

The mailer shows a large number of dark-skinned people crossing a waterway on foot.

Another description from the mailer: “$0 What illegal immigrants can pay for college because of Barbara Fenton Fung.”

Fenton-Fung called the mailer “maliciously false” and scheduled a news conference to respond. In a statement, she said, “The Hopkins operation is the poster child of a desperate campaign in a complete death spiral.”

Cranston voters will decide between Fenton-Fung and Hopkins, a one-time ally of Fenton-Fung’s husband, former Mayor Allan Fung, on Sept. 10.

On Aug. 26, the two candidates will take part in a 6 p.m. debate being staged at the Cranston Public Library by the Cranston Herald.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Ocean State Labs, opening next year in Providence’s I-195 District, will bring together researchers, investors, and startups focused on cancer treatments, gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and Alzheimer’s disease
The Rhode Island political figure and author talks with Ian Donnis about election integrity, political violence, and the future of American democracy
Starting Sept. 27, RIPTA will scale back service on 46 of its 67 bus routes — cutting trips, shortening schedules, reducing frequency, and eliminating segments, with most changes affecting weekends and off-peak hours
A Superior Court judge gave the former high school basketball coach one year of probation after a jury found him guilty of misdemeanor battery, but not guilty of sexual assault or molestation charges tied to decades of controversial body-fat tests