Lawmakers May Allow Immigrants To Pay In-State Tuition At Local Colleges
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Illegal immigrants getting tuition breaks to go to college. It's a controversial issue some Maryland lawmakers are putting the spotlight on.
Political reporter Pat Warren explains those lawmakers are seeking changes.
The Maryland General Assembly will consider a bill this session to allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition.
It puts one county college right in the crosshairs of the debate.
Montgomery College in Rockville offers the less-expensive rate to all of its recent county high school graduates, whether they can prove legal residency or not.
Eric is an Armenian-born political science student at Montgomery College and he believes the college has the right idea.
"I have some friends who just came from Russia and they're trying to study here. They keep trying to get a student visa to study here. I don't like the laws because they're ready to work hard. They want to get As and be successful and be part of the society," said Eric Hayrapetyan.
But Mike Phillips, as a parent of a college student, thinks offering in-state tuition to students who can't prove they are here legally is wrong.
"My children are not eligible for a perk or benefit that someone who is not a legal resident of the United States enjoys," said Phillips.
A public interest group called Judicial Watch has announced the taxpayer lawsuit against Montgomery College, claiming it violates state policy.
"You've got a really major issue of taxpayer waste, fraud and abuse," said Phillips.
The college has not received official notification of the suit and adds that students that have not graduated from a Montgomery County Public School within the last three years must provide proof of residency to receive the lowest rate unless otherwise permitted by law.
Baltimore County Delegate Pat McDonough is the legislative muscle behind the lawsuit, but a Montgomery County delegate says they are well aware of the policy and have no problem with it.
Nearly 60,000 students attend Montgomery College.
