Thursday, January 6, 2011

Tuition 'Dream' a nightmare for taxpayers
Illegal immigrants in Maryland shouldn't get in-state benefits

Congress averted a national nightmare when it defeated the Dream Act last month. But now, the issue threatens to reemerge here in Maryland, where Sen. Victor Ramirez is proposing a state version of the Dream Act that would offer in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, potentially costing state taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at the University of Maryland is about $13,000. If 1,000 illegal aliens were to take advantage of this benefit, that would cost the state $14 million. With Maryland's deficit at $1.6 billion during difficult economic times, we cannot afford another budget-busting mandate...

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Kentucky panel OKs crackdown on illegal immigrants

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers took a first step Thursday toward a crackdown on illegal immigrants, advancing a bill that would give police broad authority to check the immigration status of people they stop.

In its first test of support, the measure cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on an 8-3 vote after a lengthy discussion in which one opponent branded it as a "12th century bill of rights."...

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