The college students gathered outside the Park Street T station early Tuesday morning were not headed to the Boston Common for a game of ultimate Frisbee but were going to picket Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to make higher education more affordable for illegal immigrants.

About 15 members of the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans met on the Common and marched to the State House yesterday to protest against Patrick’s intention to grant in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities to illegal immigrants.

MACR members from Boston College, Northeastern University, Simmons College and University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth stood outside the Statehouse for an hour in an attempt to get their message to morning commuters.

The group, led by MACR Chairman and BC junior Brian Gwozdz, said they were picketing in an effort to create awareness about Patrick’s proposed legislation.

Gwozdz said he hoped the rally would show university students do not support the governor’s plan.

“It is a college issue, and Patrick trying to pass legislation unilaterally is not right,” he said.

According to a Jan. 11 Boston Globe article, Patrick would have to bypass the legislature in order to enact the plan because a 2006 bill for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants failed in the state legislature despite the bill’s acceptance in states including New York, Texas, Illinois, Utah, Oklahoma and California.

U.S. senatorial candidate Jeff Beatty, a Republican, came out to support MACR in their mission to alert the public to Patrick’s plans.

“As generous as we are, we can’t afford to give in-state tuition at public colleges and universities,” Beatty said, citing the state’s billion-dollar deficit. “I’m pro-immigration as long as it’s legal. Our first obligation is to our law-abiding citizens.”

Conservative Women’s Caucus Director Corie Whalen, a Simmons College student, said Patrick’s approach to the issue is problematic and the issue is about more than questions of political ideology.

“Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, this isn’t the way to solve the issue,” Whalen said. “[Patrick] is currently meeting with lawyers to figure out a way around the legislature.

“Patrick’s intentions are discrediting him,” she continued. “The public must be informed so it becomes clear that this is a bipartisan issue. We need to prevent him from abusing his power.”

The reactions of those who stopped in front of the State House to find out what the students were protesting were mixed.

“I agree with MACR,” said Boston resident Aimee Lewis. “I’m from Texas and I know all too well the issues on illegal immigration.”

Passerby Danny Moraff said he strongly disagreed with MACR’s message to stop Patrick from giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

“These students are showing they don’t consider illegal immigrants as people the state cares about, and that’s not true,” he said.