Posted on 05/10/2011 6:31:08 PM PDT by moonshinner_09
Dozens of illegal immigrants celebrated in Annapolis Tuesday as Maryland officially made them eligible for tuition discounts at colleges and universities — an issue that ignited impassioned opposition during the legislative session and is already subject to a repeal effort.
Gov. Martin O'Malley made good on a long-standing promise to sign the controversial measure that extended in-state tuition rates, making Maryland the 11th state to grant such rights to undocumented residents. His action came the same day that President Barack Obama said he will renew a push for federal legislation that clears a citizenship path for illegal immigrants.
"This will allow us to have a more highly educated workforce," O'Malley said shortly before a bill-signing ceremony began.
But the measure still faces hurdles. Even as illegal immigrants feted the new law, opponents collected signatures to put the measure on the 2012 ballot, giving voters the last word.
The immigration measure was among 230 bills O'Malley signed Tuesday; others allow Marylanders to have wine delivered by mail, nudge the state toward legalizing medical marijuana, and create incentives to entice a developer to build a casino at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Western Maryland.
The bills, like many passed in the 2011 legislative session, focused on extending consumer rights and tweaking existing programs. The persistent budget crisis — Maryland still faces a projected deficit for next year — put a damper on ambitious initiatives.
The in-state tuition bill was by far the most controversial measure and attracted throngs of illegal immigrants, many of whom had made repeated trips to Annapolis to show support during the legislative session.
Dustin, who did not want to give his last name because he is not in the country legally, watched Tuesday's ceremony and posed for one of the five official photos
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
RATS
This will allow us to have a more highly educated ILLEGAL! workforce,” O’Malley said shortly before a bill-signing ceremony began. This is an American who cares not about the people who elected him, he does what he damed well pleases.
This Land is Their Land.
Just where are those B52s. We have to put an end to this oppression and racism.
Succession is no longer a radical idea. I want to be free of the parasite host states.
American kids from out of state should sue for discrimination unless they also are given the “in state discount”.
O’Malley
Amish.
Illegal immigrants; filling the university classrooms that Americans won't fill.
It’s all about maintaining the Democrat power base and winning elections. They don’t care about these people or their “constituents”. If they did, they’d cut costs (government)and balance the state budget.
I hope the other 49 (or is it 56) other states send their illegals up to Merry-land for free stuff!
We the People continue to get ...the shaft
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Hey O'Malley: THEY'RE ILLEGAL. They CANNOT work here.
Nothing ironic about it. It's Un-Constitutional with a capitol U.
They violated the 14th Amendment with this: Equal Protection for citizens.
Residency - as if an illegal alien could establish residency - does not trump citizenship.
It also violates federal law: the 1996 IRCA, which specifically states that no state may extend such benefit to an alien unless they do the same for all citizens of the United States.
Every citizen who is paying out of state tuition in Maryland now has a legitimate federal case against the State of Maryland.
Nah, they'll just raise our taxes again. Maryland "Freak State" PING!
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