From the Post it describes some of the pre-vote debate for the Maryand Dream Act bill today:
The debate was especially emotional because of the group at its epicenter: undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children.
Paul, 18, an Annapolis High School senior who did not give his last name because of his undocumented status, came with his mother from El Salvador, crossing the border illegally.
"I did not have a choice," he said.
Now a standout student who is applying to Yale University and other Ivy League schools, Paul said outside the Senate chamber that he is hoping to be eligible for in-state tuition benefits at Maryland colleges and financial aid at the other schools. He said dozens of his classmates are undocumented immigrants.
The vote is now scheduled for Monday, and although it appears to have the votes to pass, it may not, and it may not have the votes to withstand a possible Republican filibuster....
Make your voice heard to your local Maryland Senators here....
The Post story goes on:
About 10 other states, including California, Texas and New York, have passed similar measures. And Montgomery College offers discounted tuition rates to undocumented immigrants who graduate from county high schools...
In a strategy pursued by proponents in other states, Maryland legislators are linking in-state tuition benefits to high school attendance, rather than to residency in Maryland, given that undocumented immigrants are not legal residents of the United States.
Again to be clear, here are the requirements kids have to fulfill to qualify. They must:
Have attended the last two years and graduated from a Maryland high school;
· Plan to attend college within 3 years of graduation;
· Come from a family that has paid Maryland income taxes in at least the last year of high school; and sign an affidavit stating that they will apply for permanent residency within 30 days of becoming eligible to do so.