Ramirez: Give illegals in-state tuition

Prince George’s County (Map, News) - Del. Victor Ramirez remains committed to a bill that would make it easier for thousands of Maryland high school students living in the state illegally to attend public colleges.

“I think education is a key component to a civilized society, and I think it makes economic sense,” Ramirez, D-Prince George’s, told The Examiner this week.

His bill would revive a contentious debate over college tuition rates for noncitizens — many of whom have been educated entirely by the state’s public schools.

The similar bill sponsored by Ramirez last session passed the House of Delegates 81-57 in March but died in the Senate.

As many as 286,000 people live illegally in Maryland, according to a report released in March by the Center for Immigration Studies, a non-partisan, nonprofit think-tank that addresses the economic, social, demographic, fiscal and other impacts of immigration on the United States.

Of those, 39,000 are school-age children.

“I don’t want them to jump to the front of the line, I don’t want them in line and I don’t want their parents in my state,” said Del. Patrick McDonough, R-Harford and Baltimore counties, who has been one of Ramirez’s harshest critics.

University of Maryland, College Park, charges in-state full-time undergraduates $3,984.25 tuition per semester and out-of-state full-time students, $11,103.75.

This year 2,741 of the university’s freshmen are from Maryland, and 1,499 enrolled from out of state, said Associate Director of Admissions Kate Gannon.

While Ramirez argues the bill is about creating opportunity for some of the state’s poorest children, McDonough has said it would deny it to those who had legally earned it.

“This is about breaking the law and taking advantage of a benefit you should not be entitled to,” McDonough said.

Ramirez plans to reintroduce the bill in the upcoming General Assembly.

AT A GLANCE

Del. Victor Ramirez’s bill would allow undocumented students who have spent at least three years at a Maryland high school to qualify for in-state tuition at state four-year and community colleges.

He is considering adding a provision that would require parents or guardians of noncitizen applicants to provide proof of having paid three years of state income taxes.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com

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