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.

Charles Calenda’s 120-day term as interim US attorney expired. Democrats see his further appointment as an end-run around longstanding protocol
As Woonsocket’s incinerator winds down, Rhode Island must decide where its “biosolids” go next
This week on Possibly we’re taking a look at the ships that carry our goods around the world. What would it look like to take fossil fuels out of the equation?
Leaders say Rhode Island is ready to capitalize on the World Cup moment, with fan zones, transit plans and public safety measures aimed at drawing visitors and turning Providence into a regional hub for the “Summer of Soccer”
Detainees in ICE custody report being transferred without notice, complicating their immigration cases and leaving lawyers scrambling
Bryant University football’s Chris Merritt is returning to high school