Thread: Proposition 308 sidesteps the real issue: It'll make illegal immigration worse

Proposition 308 sidesteps the real issue: It'll make illegal immigration worse

Opinion: The initiative has a misplaced focus. The place to resolve whether a noncitizen can get in-state tuition is in Congress – not the Arizona ballot.

Michelle Ugenti-Rita
opinion contributor
AZ Central
Oct. 12, 2022


There is no doubt the immigration system in this country is broken. Now, a measure on the ballot this November could further incentivize unlawful entry into Arizona.

Proposition 308 allows a student who is not a legal citizen to qualify for in-state tuition at any state university or community college. The only criteria for eligibility is graduating from high school, or obtaining a high school equivalency diploma while maintaining a physical presence in Arizona for at least two years.

While proponents want to focus on lowering the cost of tuition, the real genesis of the problem is a broken immigration system. The recipients of this benefit, should it pass, are neither Arizonans nor U.S. citizens, which is the current requirement to receive in-state tuition.

As an Arizona state senator, the priority is to facilitate Arizonans getting into higher education and entering the workforce. Proposition 308 has a misplaced focus. The place to resolve the status of whether a nonlegal citizen can receive in-state tuition is in Washington, D.C., not on the Arizona ballot.


Democrats have control of the presidency and both chambers of Congress. If this really was a pressing issue among voters, the business community and for our economy, it would be fixed.
Few GOP lawmakers supported this measure

Arizona voters have already weighed in on this very issue.
In 2006, the Legislature referred Proposition 300 to the ballot, which required recipients of certain state-funded services to be legal citizens in the United States. The measure specifically prohibited nonlegal citizens from receiving in-state tuition. Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved the proposition by a vote of 71% in favor and 29% against.

One of the most misleading claims by proponents is that Proposition 308 was passed by the Legislature with broad bipartisan support. In 2021, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1044 (which became Proposition 30 passed the Senate with the support of all Democrats, but only three of 16 Republicans voted in favor.

In order to get the legislation passed in the House of Representatives, a procedural motion was made to bypass the Speaker and bring the legislation up for a vote. As a result, the entire legislative process was skipped in the House. The resolution passed the House with all Democratic votes; however, only four of 31 Republicans voted in favor.

'Dreamers' can still access scholarships

Let me be clear, this proposition is not about so-called “Dreamers,” contrary to what the supporters want you to believe. Remember, anyone from anywhere who has been here only a minimum of two years will be eligible for in-state tuition.

If this was intended to address “Dreamers,” the language of the proposition would have specifically referenced the qualifications to be considered one. It does not do that in any way.

Further negating this justification by the proponents is that a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court on Oct. 5 ruled that President Obama did not have the authority to institute the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. In fact, new applicants are now prohibited from even enrolling in the program to seek DACA benefits.


According to a recent Arizona Republic article, there are financial resources available at all three state universities, Grand Canyon University and several private organizations to assist nonlegal citizens who want to attend college.

In another Republic article, it was stated that “more than 130 business, community, faith and elected leaders support this effort.” There is nothing preventing them from providing financial aid, as well as other supportive resources to assist the students.

Prop. 308 sends a mixed message. Vote no

The bottom line is there’s very little support for this proposition.
Voters have already overwhelmingly spoken. The federal government has utterly failed to address the real issue, and these students have other avenues available to them in their pursuit of a college education.

This proposition sends a mixed message. The current environment in our state and country is that nonlegal citizens are being flown and bused to “sanctuary cities” that claim to welcome these nonlegal citizens, while shipping containers are being used to seal the border.


To enact an incentive like this only encourages illegal immigration – it is nonsensical.
That’s why I’m encouraging you to join me in voting “no” on Proposition 308.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opin...n/10468681002/

AZ & MA face 2 Ballot Initiatives to Fight Illegal Immigration.

Massachusetts and Arizona voters to decide on illegal alien licenses & in-state tuition benefits.

For National Release | October 24, 2022

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