Tuition for illegals stirs strong debate

ANNAPOLIS (AP) — Maryland lawmakers renewed debate yesterday over one of the sharpest topics to come up in recent years — whether to allow residents who are illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition.

A Senate committee heard testimony on three bills on whether Maryland high school graduates who aren’t legally in this country should get in-state tuition rates.

The question inspires strong feelings on both sides — people who think illegal aliens shouldn’t get state subsidies and people who fear children brought here by their parents are wrongly priced out of getting lower tuition rates, even though they may have attended Maryland schools all their lives.

“It’s really an issue of fairness,” said Sen. Paul G. Pinsky, Prince George’s Democrat, who sponsored a bill allowing residents to get in-state tuition regardless of citizenship status as long as they attended Maryland high schools for two years.

Last year, Maryland lawmakers considered joining 11 states that allow residents to get in-state tuition regardless of citizenship. But the measure narrowly failed, and opposition to the idea has galvanized the state’s Republican minority.

“You’re rewarding illegal behavior,” said Sen. Andrew P. Harris, a Baltimore County Republican who was criticized for appearing to support in-state tuition for illegal aliens during his recent congressional primary, in which he ousted an incumbent.

Mr. Harris proposed a bill preventing the state from awarding in-state tuition rates for illegal residents. He argued yesterday that in-state tuition is a state subsidy and that giving the subsidy to illegal aliens would take a college spot away from a law-abiding student.

Lawmakers also heard a similar bill that would guarantee an out-of-state student would not pay higher tuition than a foreign national.

“We’re going to take care of our children. We’re going to make sure they’re taken care of first,” said Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire, Anne Arundel Republican, who sponsored that bill.

The measures inspired strong feelings, just as in years past.

Lawmakers heard testimony from students from other countries who urged lawmakers to allow students brought here as young children to receive in-state tuition. Panelists included a boy who said he might not be able to attend college because he can’t get in-state tuition.

“That’s what I’m afraid of, that I won’t be able to go to school,” said Edgar Mondragon, a senior at Bladensburg High School who wants to study computers but doesn’t qualify for in-state tuition because he is not a citizen.

Lawmakers also heard from a college student who opposed granting in-state tuition to people without legal presence.

“This is an institution that must be safeguarded for the citizens of Maryland,” said Ryan Zick, a sophomore at the University of Maryland at College Park, and an intern for Mr. Simonaire.

Senators did not vote on any of the proposals. Top lawmakers indicated that tuition measures will not be considered this term.

Story Continues →