Maryland Dream Act
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-01-23/maryland-dream-act
Last year, Maryland joined almost a dozen states around the country granting in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants at state universities. Opponents of the "Maryland Dream Act" petitioned to put the law to a referendum in November. Other states are taking up the issue, some extending financial aid to undocumented immigrants, others preventing them from enrolling in state schools at all. We explore how national debates about immigration and education are playing out across the country.
Guests
Thomas Fitton
President, Judicial Watch
Wendy Cervantes
Vice President of Immigration and Child Rights Policy, First Focus
Anne Kaiser
Maryland State Delegate (D-Montgomery County)
Muzaffar Chishti
Director, Migration Policy Institute Office at New York University School of Law
Comments
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These children were carried over the border on the backs of their young parents. They have attended public schools in the USA and have no option otherwise.
When they graduate, they have no future. they cannot find decent jobs, enter colleges, or join the military.
The Dream Act is solely to help kids who find themselves in a life predicament. It will give them a financial boost, but doesnt change the balance of the obstacles that they face.
That man who is vilifying children in our schools is is appealing to the basest bigotry.
How many Personnel in our armed forces were "illegal aliens" and now are serving not only in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and proudly serving the country? how come Texas (border state!) has deemed it part of its policy?
Is the US not a nation of immigrants who at one time or another illegal alien? Nwould it not serve a most important purpose to have an educated population to to be able to compete in the new world economy?
As a resident of MD and a mother, I believe that, when it comes to providing people with a higher education, the more the merrier, regardless of immigration status. Many of these students will bring their education into our workforce. These individuals will contribute to the advancement of our economy academically and technologically.
The only change that I would make to this bill would be to include the children of permanent residents. When I was in college, I had several friends who were permanent residents who could not even get scholarships, grants, or loans and had to pay out-of-state tuition. As an adult, I have many friends whose children will have the same problems when they enter college.
I agree with you. Our country was built by immigrants and, I believe, immigration should not be the black sheep issue that it has become.
I want to support these children, but I want to address the drain on legal children who, as stated by others, have difficulty getting funding. Do these laws address this issue?
The Dream Act should not be passed. American citizenship and its benefits should be about more than entering the country illegally and snagging a job.
Illegals, who should not be here in the first place, should be happy to pay out of state tuition, and citizens should not feel guilty about denying the subsidization of college education to illegal families. Those who are "fine" with the dream act are not recognizing the inherent weakness in rewarding illegal behavior. Yes, America is a country of immigrants, but not a country of illegal aliens. Generations of Americans entered this country legally (a la Ellis Island), not by breaking the law and obtaining fraudulent i.d.s. Those who don't see the problem with the dream act don't understand that dwindling public funds are being used to level the playing field for families who have not played by the rules. Perhaps cheerleaders for illegal immigration (Democratic elites?) have not had to live with its negative consequences of illegal immigration:
-public school funds intended for hands on activities, art, music and gifted and talented programs diverted to ESOL and ESOL related needs;
- new neighbors who gravel their back yards so that multi-family cars can park there;
- legal citizens, with ancestors who have fought in this country's wars, "waiting their turn" behind illegals for hospital care and public services;
- "little mexicos" (with attitude) springing up with businesses that are comfortable denying services to non-spanish speaking public.
Wake up. This issue is converting many former Democrats into "swing voters."