Thread: Madaleno Says He Will Introduce Maryland Version of DREAM Ac

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Schools, Government
Madaleno Says He Will Introduce Maryland Version of DREAM Act

Sen.-elect Ramirez also interested in bill to help undocumented students in Maryland.
By Taylor Kate Brown | Email the author | January 6, 2011
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State Sen. Rich Madaleno introduced Brown. new
State Sen. Rich Madaleno introduced Brown. Credit Taylor Kate Brown
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When the Maryland State Assembly comes back into session on Jan. 12th, State Senator Richard Madaleno intends to introduce Maryland's own version of the DREAM Act, modeled on the bill that passed in the Assembly in 2003 but was vetoed by then Governor Ehrlich.

The bill would allow undocumented students to be charged in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education, given they meet certain conditions. In a press release sent by his office in late December, Madaleno said the new bill would be in response to the defeat of a federal law known as the DREAM Act.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010 was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 8th, but voted down in the Senate on Dec. 18th. The federal bill had further reaching goals than the potential Assembly bill, including a path to citizenship for individuals brought to the country illegally before the age of 16, if they served in the military or completed two years of college.

Ten states currently offer in-state tuition to students with illegal backgrounds, with various provisions. Four states explicitly bar undocumented students from in-state tuition.

"Although states cannot grant U.S. citizenship, they can provide the youngest undocumented residents an opportunity to continue their education beyond high school," Madaleno's statement said.

Madaleno's chief of staff, Adam Fogel, said that the specifics of the new bill would be based on the 2003 bill

That bill included the follow provisions for students to receive in-state tuition:

* Student attended public or private secondary school in Maryland for at least three years.
* Student graduated or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Maryland.
* Student provides an affidavit to the school stating that they will file an application to become a permanent resident within 30 days after they become eligible to do so.
* Student applied to public school in Maryland no later than five years after graduating high school.

Madaleno isn't the only local lawmaker interested in passing an in-state tuition law. Sen.-elect Victor Ramirez, (D-Prince George's), announced his wish to introduce a similar law shortly before the new year. Ramirez's version includes the provision that the student's parents be taxpayers.

According to Fogel, the senator has requested a bill be drafted, but a sponsor hasn't been decided on yet.

"We're also looking forward to working with Sen.-elect Ramirez on this issue," Fogel said in an e-mail.

If I were a Maryland native I would be PO'ed right now.

Dream on.

I thought states could not draft their own immigration policies. Didn't Arizona get raked over the coals for the same attempt? Why not Maryland, then?

Originally Posted by keekee

I thought states could not draft their own immigration policies. Didn't Arizona get raked over the coals for the same attempt? Why not Maryland, then?

In this bizzaro state of affairs the way it works is

Bills against illegals get you sued
Bills for illegals are great , and the govt loves you

Originally Posted by Justthefacts

Originally Posted by keekee

I thought states could not draft their own immigration policies. Didn't Arizona get raked over the coals for the same attempt? Why not Maryland, then?

In this bizzaro state of affairs the way it works is

Bills against illegals get you sued
Bills for illegals are great , and the govt loves you

Big Ditto here