Border politics in Maryland
Maryland -- 500 miles from Canada and 1,700 from Mexico -- is far from the country's borders. But that's not stopping state politicians from taking up immigration reform. This morning, The Sun reported on how the federal government's inaction on immigration has left it to Maryland and other states to develop policies.
Estimates of the state's population of illegal immigrants run as high as 250,000. Some lawmakers, including Baltimore County Republican Del. Pat McDonough, believe Maryland's policies have made it a "sanctuary state." He'd like that to change and says he is drafting 16 bills to crack down on illegal immigrants. One piece of legislation would require proof of citizenship to receive public benefits.
Other lawmakers are appealing to their colleagues to allow undocumented students of Maryland public schools to pay in-state tuition, rather than higher rates, at state colleges and universities. Democratic Sens. Victor Ramirez of Prince George's County and Richard Madaleno of Montgomery County will be spearheading that effort. Maryland has already approved in-state tuition once (Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. then vetoed it), and 10 other states have similar policies.
Legislative leaders of the Democrat-heavy General Assembly say the in-state tuition bill is likely to gain the most traction this year. It's sure to inspire heated words on the House and Senate floors, perhaps reminiscent of the tear- and anger-streaked driver's license debate of 2009.
Comments
Two of those states CA and TX face huge budget deficits.
CA plans to ask tax payers to pay more in taxes and fees so alot of people are upset since in addition tuiton has gone up by alot. How is this fair to legal residents and citizens just trying to get to college or finish college in this recessino that is not ending? Seems to a reasonable person you are paying on all ends while illegals are still getting a free ride.
Posted by: jm fay | January 18, 2011 10:19 AM
Maryland cannot afford to be kowtowing to illegal immigrants.
Why encourage even more of THE NEW AMERICANS to settle here draining our coffers even more?
Posted by: john | January 18, 2011 11:18 AM
Anywhere else in the world, millions of foreign nationals illegally invading a sovereign country is an act of war! A small number of treasonous politicians are betraying the American people. Americans must demand our laws be enforced and our borders secured. We can end illegal immigration forever if we hold our politicians accountable.
Posted by: Maya | January 18, 2011 11:35 AM
The Census Bureau says as of 2000 that 283,604 (roughly 5.4%) of Marylanders are not citizens:
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP2&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US24
250,000 may be an understatement.
Posted by: JoBeth | January 18, 2011 4:30 PM
THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BOTTOMLESS WELFARE
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF HONEST LEGAL PEOPLE FROM SOUTH OF THE BORDER, WITH GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES LIVING HERE IN COMPLETE HARMONY. They have legal Social Security cards, Drivers Licenses, pay their taxes and have fought in every war since the rebellion against the British Empire. THE MAJORITY OF LEGAL MINORITY ETHNIC GROUPS WANT IMMIGRATION LAWS ENFORCED?
ANY KIND OF AMNESTY, SANCTUARY CITY ORDINANCES, BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, THE DREAM ACT AND THE FINANCIAL DEPLETING CHAIN MIGRATION OR ANY OTHER IMMIGRATION REFORM WILL DRIVE MILLIONS MORE ILLEGAL ALIENS IN AMERICA'S DIRECTION TO CLAIM THEIR WELFARE HAND-OUTS. The Liberal editors will not disclose this information or even let people who don’t fit their ideology comment in their media.
If you have never read any report, immigration paper or other document on the consequences daily of the illegal immigration invasion, you must spend ten minutes to read and absorb this report from the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, spring 2005 http://www.jpands.org/vol10no1/cosman.pdf After reading this your probably need a vomit bag.
Now is the time in joining the Tea Party movement at http://www.theteaparty.net/ and reclaim your rights and halt once and for all illegal immigration. The switchboard number for Washington is 202-224-3121, so that you can also contact your Congressional representative In addition contact your State Congressman in your State.
Learn all there is to know about your share of illegal immigrant tax, cost, corruption, real numbers illegally settled here and the damage of overpopulation, lose of sovereignty and the travesty of the Liberal extremist "political Correctness." www.numbersusa.com and www.judicialwatch.org. We all acknowledge there is abundant need for highly skilled workers for our nation, not the penniless or uneducated of foreign government failures.
Posted by: Francis | January 18, 2011 5:37 PM
I am sick of people crossing a line in the sand, coming here and without knowing the language and culture of our country are going to demand what I and generations of my family have worked for all of our lives.
I'm tired of being called a racist while two Hispanic politicians, one of whom, even before taking the oath of office is demanding I pay more to those who want more while our children get less.
I am tired of making the pie. Where is my peace. (sic)
I will not stand by and watch those who do not respect me my country, my flag, our customs, culture and language and have the gall to demand more.
Posted by: Buzz Beeler | January 18, 2011 11:10 PM
O'Malley calls these criminal grifters new citizens and provides them with all the taxpayer funded safety net that should be furnished to legal citizens, the very poor legal citizens that help fund the safety net. He has allowed a once beautiful state of Maryland to become a dangerously broke illegal alien sanctuary state cell pool. Illegal aliens actually vote in Maryland elections, which explains why O'Malley won by such a large margin last fall. Maryland needs to get rid of O'Malley, Democrat majority and all of their illegal alien constituents.
Posted by: l00ker | January 21, 2011 12:33 PM