Maryland House Passes Controversial Immigrant Tuition Bill

The Maryland House of Delegates has cleared a controversial bill that would grant in-state tuition status to undocumented immigrants. 

The Maryland DREAM Act passed the House by a vote of 74-66 Friday.  The bill now goes to the Senate, which passed its version last month.

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.

Patch reported in March that the bill was met with fierce resistance from House Republicans and resident groups in Prince George's County who contended the bill would put an unnecessary economic burden on state and county taxpayers. 

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach told The Gazette that he expects Republicans will attempt to filibuster the measure when it returns to his chamber at the end of the session, which ends Monday night.

Still, the the bill's passing was met with applause by immigration advocates and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown.

“To ensure that Maryland continues to thrive, we must embrace all who wish to contribute to our great state," Brown said in a statement. "Allowing children of undocumented immigrants who have attended and graduated from Maryland high schools to access an affordable college education will help them give back, both in taxes from higher paying jobs and through service to their community.

"We have a great deal to gain by embracing new Americans, and I congratulate the House of Delegates for taking this historic step to ensure Maryland remains a land of opportunity for all.”