Maryland Passes Dream Act Provision - Higher Education: SILVER SPRING, Md. — Maryland voters approved a ballot measure that will allow undocumented immigrant students to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges.
The state is the first in the nation to approve a Dream Act provision by popular vote. Proponents of the measure say it will enable millions of students who were brought to the United States as young children and educated in the Maryland school system to gain greater access to higher education and become productive and contributing members of the American economy. Opponents argue it will encourage more illegal immigration to the state.
“I don’t see a problem with it,” said Teresa Smith, 21, a student at Montgomery Community College. “If it’s not taking away from American students in Maryland or giving [undocumented immigrants] extra funding to attend these schools that other citizens are not being offered, then I say we pass the act.”
Reemberto Rodriguez, 55, Director of Silver Spring Regional Center, said he was “very proud of the Maryland community” for supporting the ballot measure.
