State Senator Richard Madelano has a modest proposal for higher education in Maryland. The proposal would allow any person, regardless of immigration status, who has attended a Maryland high school for at least three years to enroll in a Maryland college or university and be charged in-state tuition. 

The bill has passed the State Senate and now awaits action in the House.

Currently, even if they have graduated from Maryland high schools, undocumented students are considered nonresidents and pay college tuitions that are about three times the rate for residents. Since 2001, 10 states  have passed laws granting tuition equity to undocumented students who have established residency in their state. William Kirwan, the University of Maryland System chancellor, says his schools need to have an in-state tuition law. In the absence of the federal DREAM Act, it is the least that Maryland can do for its students.

Note that the proposal would neither allow undocumented students in Maryland to receive higher education for free nor grant in-state tuition to undocumented students who are not residents of Maryland. It's a matter of providing equal opportunity and trying to even the playing field for students who have grown up in Maryland, contributed to the state and aspire to be contributing citizens in this society.

Photo Credit: DreamActivist1