Maryland Voters Approve In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

Education Week

Undocumented immigrant students will be eligible for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in Maryland after voters there overwhelmingly ratified a state law at the polls on Tuesday.

With 84 percent of precincts reporting just before midnight, 58 percent of voters answered "yes" on Question 4, while 42 percent voted against the measure that grants in-state tuition rates to undocumented students, the Associated Press reported.-[Full Article]

Maryland Dream Act Passed in Final Hours of Legislative Session

Legislation would allow illegal immigrants to receive in-state college tuition.

After a turbulent journey in both the Maryland State House and Senate, legislation allowing illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state college tuition rates passed last night, as the 428th session of the Maryland General Assembly came to a close in Annapolis. Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has pledged to sign the bill, paving the way for students to enroll in community college as early as this fall...[Full Article]

Bill allowing some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition passes Maryland Senate

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A measure allowing some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Maryland passed the Maryland Senate on Monday.

The bill passed 27-20 still must be approved by the House of Delegates before going to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who has said he would sign it.

During debate, Sen. Victor Ramirez, the bill sponsor who immigrated legally as a child from El Salvador, told opponents that voting against the bill would not solve problems relating to people living illegally in the state. He said the legislation was needed to help people who live here reach their potential and contribute as much as possible to the state.

“It’s about education,” Ramirez, D-Prince George’s, said. “It’s not about immigration.”

The financial implications for students are significant. In-state tuition is $8,416 annually, and out-of-state students pay $24,831 a year.

Opponents said the legislation raised the issue of who subsidizes the education of illegal immigrants covered by the legislation, not whether or not they can attend college.

“I think this sends a terrible message to everyone in the state that you can break the law and you can get a benefit,” said Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard...[Full Article]

15 Immigration Bills Introduced Today in Maryland

WASHINGTON - A Republican delegate to the Maryland General Assembly is holding a news conference Wednesday to announce that he is filing 15 bills related to immigration issues, including the enforcement of an official state language and a watchdog group to study the cost of illegals.

Delegate Pat McDonough calls it "the largest number of illegal alien bills in the history of the General Assembly."...

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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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Maryland lawmaker targets officials who ignore federal immigration laws



BALTIMORE, Md. - In a bid to break the silence, Baltimore City Police are calling upon members of the Hispanic community to report crimes, and their legal status will go unquestioned.

Critics suggest it’s a form of amnesty that could back fire.

"If I say I was beat up and almost killed and I want to report that. Fine,” said Cynthia Gross of Southeast Baltimore, “Don’t ask me about my immigration status, but what if Jose beat me up and killed me? You gonna let Jose, whose a bad guy, stay here. You forgot to ask him when you could have gotten Jose when you had him."

Delegate Pat McDonough agrees, and he’s prepared to arm the average citizen with the power to sue public officials who violate federal immigration laws.

"Here you have a mayor who is saying to her police force, which is supposed to protect the people, 'You're not a law enforcement agency any more, you're a lawless enforcement agency and if you're an illegal immigrant, you now have special status and protection," said McDonough.

Under his proposed bill, a citizen could file a complaint against a public official in circuit court and then a judge would determine if the case moves forward.

If convicted, that official could be ordered out of office or could face criminal charges...

[Full Article]

Suspected Illegal Alien Gang Members Arrested For Rape Of 11-Year-Old Girl

Marcos R. Torres-Enriquez (left), and Melquicide H. Sorto (right)

Montgomery County Police Dept.

On Tuesday night, police in Montgomery County, MD arrested two men accused of raping an 11-year-old girl. Officers found the two in the apartment, where the alleged assault took place.

Montgomery County police spokesman Cpl. Dan Friz told reporters: “Based on the information she provided and the location and description of the gentlemen and some of the contents in the apartment, the officers went right to the apartment, found the two guys in the apartment, locked them up.”...