Md. Senators Debate Immigrant Tuition Bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A measure allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition in Maryland has been amended to require them to first attend a community college in the jurisdiction where they went to high school.
The Senate approved the amendment on Wednesday in a 26-20 vote.
Sen. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George's, says the amendment was needed to clarify the legislation. But Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Cecil, says the change was made to address a court case pending against Montgomery College for its long-standing policy of providing county tuition rates to all recent county public school graduates, regardless of immigration status.
Under the bill, illegal immigrant students who attend community college could then qualify for the cheaper in-state tuition rate at four-year universities.
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