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If You're a Maryland Voter, Please Vote FOR Question 4 and Protect the Maryland DREAM Act!

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If you’re a Maryland voter this Election Day, please also remember to vote FOR Question 4, which will protect the tuition bill widely known as the Maryland DREAM Act!  Here’s EJ Dionne writing about it in this morning’s Washington Post:

A “yes” vote on Question 4 would ratify a state law that would make some undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition rates at state universities. These are students who were brought to the United States as young children and can hardly be said to be responsible for breaking immigration laws themselves. Honestly, how many better investments of public money are there than allowing students to continue their educations?…

Our immigration debate over the last several years has been flawed by the fact that it has focused almost entirely on the problems of illegal immigration and hardly at all on how immigrants can help make our nation stronger and more prosperous. There are legitimate concerns about illegal immigration, but there are enormous upsides to encouraging newcomers to our shores who want nothing more (or less) than the chance to stand in the ranks of productive and innovative citizens.

Dr. Joshua Starr, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, put the choice well:

The Maryland DREAM Act is not about politics: it’s about our future and the future of our students. The Act would simply allow hard-working students who have been in our system for years to pursue the dream of post-secondary education and receive in-state tuition rates. A college education is often the key to unlocking opportunity and all students — regardless of where they were born or their parents were born — deserve the chance to have a bright future and be a productive member of society.

I hope that Maryland voters approve Question 4 and thus set a tone for our nation. The next Congress should pass a National Dream Act and, ultimately, comprehensive immigration reform.

Also check out these pictures from Educating Maryland Kids, documenting the hard work they’ve put into protecting the Maryland DREAM Act this year.

Amazing DREAMers in Maryland are counting on you:

Bishop Madden supports the Maryland DREAM Act:

Representative Elijah E. Cummings spoke in support of the Maryland DREAM Act alongside students from CASA de Maryland.

Bishops and faith leaders spoke out at Morgan State University in support of the Maryland DREAM Act. A powerful endorsement from across the religious spectrum.

Maryland DREAM Act supporters at Towson University: