NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) U.S. Rep. Jim Himes is stepping up his push for immigration reform by inviting to the State of the Union speech the coordinator of a group that advocated for students living in the country illegally to pay cheaper in-state tuition at state universities.

Himes announced Wednesday that his guest to the address by President Obama next week will be Lucas Codognolla, coordinator for Connecticut Students For a Dream. After winning in-state tuition in Connecticut, the group is pushing for financial aid.

Himes says Codognolla was a top student and he wants to send a message that there's no reason to fear immigration reform and that it will boost the economy.

Himes is highlighting an issue important to a growing number of Hispanic and Asian immigrants in his Fairfield County district.