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Blog: Statement on SB167

Statement

Date: May 10, 2011
Issues: Higher Education Immigration

Today, Governor Martin O'Malley signed into law SB167, Public Institutions of Higher Education -- Tuition Rates -- Exemptions, providing in-state tuition to Maryland high school graduates regardless of the immigration status of their parents.

In Maryland, we believe in the dignity of every individual, and that there is no such thing as a spare Marylander. Today, Governor O'Malley reaffirmed that belief as Maryland joins 11 other states -- including California, New York, Utah and Texas -- in extending access to an affordable college education for all high school graduates in our state.

We have a constitutional obligation to provide a public education for every child in our state. But we should not allow our nation's broken immigration system to serve as an excuse to escape our basic, moral obligation to expand opportunity for all Marylanders, provided they graduated from a Maryland high school, pay taxes in our state, and are on a path toward citizenship.


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