Maryland Voters to Decide on In-state Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

Md. voters to decide immigrant tuition law

Opponents of a new law that gives undocumented immigrants in-state tuition discounts at Maryland’s public colleges have gathered enough signatures to suspend the law and force a statewide referendum, election officials said Thursday.

It is the first time in 20 years that a petition drive has forced a vote on a Maryland law.

I was unaware that our legislators had passed a law granting in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

Under the law, undocumented immigrants who can prove that they have attended Maryland high schools for at least three years and that their parents or guardians have begun paying taxes were to have been allowed to begin courses this fall at community colleges at in-state rates. The measure was approved in the closing hours of this year’s legislative session after years of failed attempts.

Having paid out of state tuition personally, and for my son, this pisses me off.  Why does the state legislature feel that we need to grant special privileges to people who violate our laws and borders to come to our country? However, opponents of the referendum have pulled the "That's Racist" card"

“The language used to gather signatures has for the most part been very narrow, mean-spirited and, at times, racist,” Glassman said. “We believe that once a counter-narrative is put out there, one that speaks to the greater good, the Maryland DREAM Law will prevail.”

So how much does this bill cost Maryland taxpayers?

For a four-year degree, the plan could cost Maryland $40,000 per student, and state analysts had estimated that hundreds of undocumented high-school graduates would begin applying for aid this summer. Immigrant groups say that those students’ college plans are now in limbo, and that for many, college in the fall may be out of reach financially.

So we are talking millions of dollars annually. This is a perfect use of the referendum tool; reminding legislators that if they won't represent our interests, we can represent them ourselves.