Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced he will sign a version of the "Dream Act" into state law. The act will allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state school tuition, but be ineligible to receive state financial aid, NBC News reported.
Christie's office said he's ready to sign the act if the state Legislature votes Thursday afternoon and accepts the agreement reached with the Governor.
"I want to work it out, because I want this to happen for the young men and women in this state," Christie said at a press conference, NBC News reported. "But I won't be taken to the cleaners, so let's all be fair with each other. You want compromise? Let's compromise. Let's be smart."
Christie promised voters he would fight for immigration rights during his campaign for re-election in October.
"I believe that every child should be given the opportunity to reach their God-given potential. That's a moral requirement," Christie said to the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey in October, according to NBC News. "And we need to work together to make sure that that happens."
Christie secured 51 percent of the Latino vote when he won the elections last month.
Republicans have been vocal about their opposition to laws like the Dream Act, which are meant to put undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria on the path to becoming U.S. citizens. Christie's support for undocumented immigrants, however, could do damage if he intends to run for the White House in 2016, NBC News reported.
Because of that, some publications claimed Christie will take away his support if his shot at the presidency is threatened.
"Christie has his eyes on the presidency," an editorial in The New Jersey Star-Ledger said. "And if he has to roll over Latinos to get there, he'll do it,"
Christie called out all of those who doubted him at a press conference Thursday.
"Shame on all of you who accused me and others of playing politics with this issue," he said, according to The Star-Ledger. "The fact here is what we've done here is put forward exactly what I said I wanted to do."
