Prince George's County Citizens Group Opposes Immigration Bill

A citizens group in Prince George’s County is urging the County Council to oppose a state bill that would grant in-state tuition rights at public colleges and universities to illegal immigrants, saying it would cause county residents economic hardship.

During a County Council meeting today, council members introduced a resolution to either oppose or endorse House Bill 470, which would provide undocumented immigrants access to public higher education at in-state or in-county tuition rates.

The bill would require applicants to public colleges and universities in Maryland to be students at public high schools in the state for three consecutive years before applying for in-state rates. Undocumented immigrants currently pay an out-of-state tuition fee, which in 2011 averages $10,000 more per year than in-state tuition.

But members of People for Change, a citizen’s advocacy group for Prince George’s County, urged council members not to support the bill, saying it is unfair and would take money from county services. Some said the council could risk a lawsuit because the bill goes against federal law.

 “If you take money from this bag, you’re taking money from the mouths of people you represent in your contingency,” Raymond Hawkins of Cheverly told the council. “There are thousands of us who are outraged by this…. Don’t you allow the County Council members to become a part of the travesty of justice. Who’s speaking on behalf of the citizens?” he asked.

The bill mirrors legislation put forth by the Obama administration. The federal Dream Act gives in-state tuition status to eligible students who are illegal immigrants. Locally, the County Council would decide whether or not to support the legislation before a decision is reached by the Maryland General Assembly and Senate in Annapolis.

Residents said the bill would be a slap in the face to taxpayers already seeing rolling budget deficits in state and county government.

“Why are we supporting this? Does anyone know how much money this is going to cost?” asked Jerry McLaurin, a leader of People for Change. “We want this [bill] to stop.”

Anthony Cicoria of Hyattsville told the council that as the son of Italian immigrants, he believed the bill favored a specific group of people. Citizens, he said, shouldn’t be responsible for the education of non-citizens.

“You’re going to have to look at the economics,” he said. “You’ll put an extra burden economically on the backs of [citizens in] Prince George’s County.”

The resolution still has to make its way to a committee vote before being voted on by the County Council as a whole, said Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner (D-Dist. 4) of Bowie.

“I think it’s always important to have an open dialogue [with residents],” she said.  “We don’t vote the way we want to, we vote they way [residents] want us to.”