Commentary: Should there be Maryland In-state Tuition for Illegal immigrants?

Today’s Washington Examiner Editorial starts with an interesting observation: “There aren't many issues in America these days that incite as much intense passion on all sides as immigration.” (Washington Examiner, June 7, 2011) When I read that Maryland government officials voted to provide illegal immigrants with in-state tuition, that brought out the passion in me.

I am a US Citizen because my great grandparents (mother’s side) and grandparents (father’s side) came to this county legally. It deeply offends me and spits on my family’s efforts when government officials provide citizen benefits to those who did not take the appropriate path, no matter how noble the person thinks his/her reason is. To quote and American Express commercial “Membership has its privileges” and US citizenship is a privilege. And, with the privilege, comes many benefits that are paid for by taxpayers, like myself.  It also comes with obligations. One obligation is to obey the law. What part of “illegal” do government officials in Maryland not understand?

The argument for giving them in-state tuition doesn’t even pass the logic test. J. Doug Gill has it right on “…if someone is not here legally, then said person would not qualify as an “in-state” resident, … receiving an “in-state” tuition subsidized by Maryland taxpayers.” (Washington Examiner, May 26, 2011)

My heart-felt belief is that we should stop Maryland’s in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. If you agree, there are two ways to show it.

1)     E-mail Governor O’Malley (http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/)  and ask him to Halt Enactment of in-state tuition rates for illegal aliens (Maryland's version of the Dream Act).

2)     Sign the grass roots petition started by Republican Dels. Patrick McDonough, Baltimore County, and Neil Parrott, Washington County at https://mdpetitions.com/