MD Voters Approve State's Version Of Dream Act - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

MD Voters Approve State's Version Of Dream Act

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland voters have approved allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public colleges.
    
It is the state's version of the Dream Act. Maryland is the first state in the nation to approve it by popular vote.
    
Illegal immigrants can pay in-state rates if they attend a Maryland high school for three years and they or their parents can show they filed state income taxes during that time.
    
On a separate ballot question, Maryland voters also approved the state's congressional redistricting map. It had been petitioned to the ballot by opponents who said it had been gerrymandered to favor Democrats.
    
On the Dream Act, students would also have to state their intention to apply for permanent residency and register with the selective service, if they are required to do so.

Governor Martin O'Malley today released the following statement on the Dream Act: "Marylanders - guided by our belief in the dignity of every individual - have chosen to make the dream of a college education a reality for every child. In order to expand opportunity, we've chosen to hold down the costs of college tuition for Maryland families more than any other state.  "Marylanders of all ethnic and racial backgrounds - black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, Jewish, came together to make this possible, reminding us that in Maryland, our diversity is our greatest strength."

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