Hundreds of high school students rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday to show support for a proposal that would make it easier for the children of illegal immigrants to attend college.

The Development, Relief and Education Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, would allow anyone who attended a Minnesota high school for three years and graduated to pay in-state tuition rates. Although supported by House and Senate DFL leaders in the past, the DREAM Act has been strongly opposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, has said she does not expect the act to advance this year because of Pawlenty's firm opposition.

PATRICIA LOPEZ