The Maryland Senate is moving forward with a bill that would grant in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, at a cost to taxpayers of about $3.5 million by fiscal 2016, according to an independent fiscal analysis.
Proponents of the bill say it provides educational access to undocumented students who excel in high school but can't afford college. Federal law covers undocumented students' education through grade 12.
Opponents argue that the bill is a waste of taxpayer money and provides sanctuary to people who are in the country illegally.
Lawmakers will take up the proposal in the Senate this week. If the bill makes it to Gov. Martin O'Malley's desk this year, Maryland would be the 11th state in the nation to provide lower tuition rates to undocumented students. A similar measure known as the DREAM Act failed at the federal level in December.
The Montgomery County Council is taking action this week on a resolution that would support the bill.
"Despite lacking legal status, many immigrant youth are working hard to achieve success in this country," the resolution reads.
Republican Del. Pat McDonough, who represents parts of Baltimore and Harford counties, is already threatening a legal fight once the bill passes, which he said is inevitable.
"The primary argument against it is that it's a financial issue," he told The Washington Examiner. "We firmly believe it is unconstitutional. ... This is going to go to court."
The costs to Maryland of about $3.5 million by fiscal 2016 were calculated by the state's independent Department of Legislative Services.
The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates at Maryland's four-year universities averages more than $10,000 for a single semester. Community college tuition is two to three times less expensive for in-state students in Maryland. Roughly 300,000 illegal immigrants live in the state, according to legislative analysts.
"What this bill creates, in effect, is a new financial burden on the counties," said Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin, a Republican from the Eastern Shore. "I think some counties are going to view this as an unfunded mandate sent to them by the state."
But the bill has enormous support among many of Maryland's Democrats, despite the costs.
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Proponents of the bill say it provides educational access to undocumented students who excel in high school but can't afford college. Federal law covers undocumented students' education through grade 12.
Opponents argue that the bill is a waste of taxpayer money and provides sanctuary to people who are in the country illegally.
Lawmakers will take up the proposal in the Senate this week. If the bill makes it to Gov. Martin O'Malley's desk this year, Maryland would be the 11th state in the nation to provide lower tuition rates to undocumented students. A similar measure known as the DREAM Act failed at the federal level in December.
The Montgomery County Council is taking action this week on a resolution that would support the bill.
"Despite lacking legal status, many immigrant youth are working hard to achieve success in this country," the resolution reads.
Republican Del. Pat McDonough, who represents parts of Baltimore and Harford counties, is already threatening a legal fight once the bill passes, which he said is inevitable.
"The primary argument against it is that it's a financial issue," he told The Washington Examiner. "We firmly believe it is unconstitutional. ... This is going to go to court."
The costs to Maryland of about $3.5 million by fiscal 2016 were calculated by the state's independent Department of Legislative Services.
The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates at Maryland's four-year universities averages more than $10,000 for a single semester. Community college tuition is two to three times less expensive for in-state students in Maryland. Roughly 300,000 illegal immigrants live in the state, according to legislative analysts.
"What this bill creates, in effect, is a new financial burden on the counties," said Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin, a Republican from the Eastern Shore. "I think some counties are going to view this as an unfunded mandate sent to them by the state."
But the bill has enormous support among many of Maryland's Democrats, despite the costs.
Read more
Umm, if these kids are being educated on our dime for twelve straight years,, then they should have all the education of our country, laws, forefathers, respect for our flag, etc under their belts; i.e., everything they should need to take a citizenship test and Oath at age 18.
ReplyDeleteSo what the Dems are saying is that our education system for the first 12 years is failing to do this, and therefore we need to pay for 4 more years of this "valuable" resource for the still illegal aliens.
Thank you for your request.
My answer to you is no.
If this is done, then a special college class should be set up for them ONLY and be mandatory for them to take. Then, it should be the only field they are allowed to enter into the job force after graduating and that would be teaching the damned illegals English!The only words most of them know are, house, food stamps, medical assistance and free money!
ReplyDeleteWhen will we get some sanity back in our Government? When we get rid of liberal spending Democrats. How do you offer an illigal anything that is derrived from taxpayers is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteMy Daughter has to pay full tuition in the fall to attend a University in Maryland. This in State University is not in the Maryland University system and does not offer any tuition break. If my tax dollars will go to Illegals Education, then the State should reimburse me the difference I am having to pay and give me all other benefits that go to the students that attend a University / College that is in the Maryland University System. She is not available for finacial aid / grants etc since I am over the limit by a minute amount living on retirement from pay check to pay check. All I can say is THAnK YOU to the Liberal / Progressive DemocRATS for making me poorer.
ReplyDeleteSince they are here ILLEGALLY we should give them nothing but a one way ticket back to where they belong.
ReplyDelete