Immigrant Tuition Debates in Maryland

Immigrants and immigrant rights advocates in Maryland are meeting in Annapolis today to rally Senators and Delegates in support of a measure that would grant in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrant students who have graduated from a Maryland high school. Critics of the measure, House Bill 6, argue that offering these kids in-state rates would take away slots from documented residents and citizens, and that it would serve as an incentive for more illegal immigrants to move to Maryland. Gov O'Malley supports the bill. As he should.

Granting in-state tuition rates to these students is in Maryland’s best interest, financially and otherwise. Most of these kids have been in Maryland for most of their lives and have attended Maryland elementary and secondary schools. The state's already invested resources in the education of these kids. It makes no sense to pay for their K-12 schooling with state resources and then make it prohibitively hard for them to go to college in MD. And, no, this isn't a hand-out- it's hard enough to pay in-state tuition, which runs $8K to be a Terrapin. UMD's out-of-state tuition--at more than $22K-- is a definite deal-breaker for these kids, who are ineligible for government-funded financial aid and have few legal options for work. Sure, higher ed is competitive these days. But the smartest thing for Maryland to do is to let these Maryland-educated kids compete for a chance to advance their own futures and eventually work, live and contribute to our state.

The education of undocumented immigrants is a hot issue across the country, and extends beyond just in-state tuition debates. Take a look at Education Sector's solution, one of eight ideas included in our ed policy guidebook for pres candidates, "Eight for 2008".