Maryland Lawyer Blog
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals today set the stage for an Election Day referendum on the state’s Dream Act, which would permit qualified undocumented students to receive in-state tuition at Maryland public universities and colleges.
The court ruled that the Dream Act is subject to a statewide vote, rejecting a lawsuit by CASA de Maryland, an immigrant rights group, arguing that the law governs appropriation of state funds and, thus, is constitutionally barred from being put before the voters.
The court moved on this fast: it heard arguments in the case Tuesday and gave its ruling without a written opinion today.
The General Assembly passed the Dream Act in 2011, but people with nothing better to do opponents collected enough signatures to force a voter referendum on whether we are going to extend this small courtesy to immigrants who live here.
Keep in mind this is not some free tuition hand out. It is people who are already working here who will likely stay here who would get in-state tuition rates at public universities and colleges.
Obviously, I support the Dream Act. We will learn a lot about the tolerance of Marylanders in the fall.
You can read more about the Maryland high court’s decision here.