The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Maryland Ballot Question:
Dream Act—Dream On!

Oct 15, 2012

Another ballot question in Maryland would “establish that ... undocumented immigrants, are entitled to pay in-state tuition rates at community colleges in Maryland, provided the student meets certain conditions....” It’s obvious that if you have graduated from high school here, you should pay the same tuition as everyone else, period. After all, a very large majority of the students or their parents work here and pay taxes here.

But this ballot question doesn’t provide the same tuition for most immigrants in this situation. One of the conditions in this law is that you have shown the intent to apply for permanent residency. But undocumented immigrants are usually not eligible for permanent resident status. Who can meet that requirement?

Just like the federal “Dream Act,” this promises much but delivers little.