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.
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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
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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.

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