SILVER SPRING, Md. — Maryland voters approved a ballot measure that will allow undocumented immigrant students to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges.
The state is the first in the nation to approve a Dream Act provision by popular vote. Proponents of the measure say it will enable millions of students who were brought to the United States as young children and educated in the Maryland school system to gain greater access to higher education and become productive and contributing members of the American economy. Opponents argue it will encourage more illegal immigration to the state.
“I don’t see a problem with it,” said Teresa Smith, 21, a student at Montgomery Community College. “If it’s not taking away from American students in Maryland or giving [undocumented immigrants] extra funding to attend these schools that other citizens are not being offered, then I say we pass the act.”
Reemberto Rodríguez, 55, Director of Silver Spring Regional Center, said he was “very proud of the Maryland community” for supporting the ballot measure.
The state “version of the Dream Act” is named for the proposed federal legislation that would grant permanent residency to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors, graduated from American high schools, completed two years of college or military service.
It would ultimately serve as a “lifeline to these students who are already working hard in our middle and high schools and living in our communities by granting them the temporary legal status that would allow them to pursue postsecondary education,” said Drew Gilpin Faust, president of Harvard University.
Joshua Starr, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, agreed.
