Mass. To Offer Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition

November 19, 2012

The question of whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to pay in-state tuition to the state’s public colleges and universities has been a controversial one in Massachusetts.

On Monday, Gov. Deval Patrick settled the question by executive order, directing state colleges and universities to give young illegal immigrants the opportunity to pay the much more affordable tuition rate.

The governor estimated that his new order will apply to some 300 Bay State students.

Guest:

Paul Reville, Mass. Secretary of Education

More:

Video:

In July of 2011, Gov. Patrick attended a hearing at the State House to testify in support of a bill that would have extended the lower tuition rates to illegal immigrants. Despite the governor’s support, the bill failed to pass.

Other stories from this show:

Call_Me_Missouri

Maryland just passed the Dream Act.

What MA Residents should be aware was that for the State of Maryland the cost to Tax Payers to fund this program is $176 Million per year. This was for In-State Tuition at the University of Maryland for only 4000 Students per year.

The MA policy might cost more because you are talking about 3-4 times as many students… but my sense is your In-State Tuition subsidy per student is substantially less money.

Either way, I ask you… Where are you finding the money in your budget to pay for this?

At least it is likely that your illegal immigrants could get jobs in MA because MA has large un-secured industries… in Maryland, where Government (especially defense) Contractors are King and background checks and security clearances are manditory, paying $88K per student in MD is just throwing away money. Degree or not, they are not employable in MD.

Hosts Meghna Chakrabarti and Anthony Brooks introduce us to newsmakers, big thinkers and artists and bring us stories of relevance to Bostonians here and around the region. Live every weekday at 3.

Listen: Weekdays, 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM
Live Call-In: (800) 423-TALK
Listener Voicemail: (617) 358-0607

A Look At Southie, Then And Now

Mass. To Offer Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition