Republicans are again trying to curb public benefits for illegal immigrants, as they have repeatedly in past years, against the continued opposition of social service groups. [...more]
Circuit Court Judge Ronald Silkworth ruled Friday that a referendum to challenge a new law granting in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants can go forward on this November’s ballot. The attorney for Casa de Maryland said he will appeal, but the petition leader said the appeals court will uphold the judge's ruling, and the petition will be on the November ballot. [...more]
Immigrants – both legal and unauthorized – have made positive contributions to Maryland in terms of the economy and education, and the state needs to take a common-sense approach to future policy, according to a new report from a state commission on immigration. [...more]
An immigrant advocacy group argued in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Friday to invalidate a referendum petition meant to strike down a new law granting in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants. The law was held up last July when a petition drive led by Republicans delegates gathered twice the signatures needed to put the measure on November’s ballot. [...more]
A new poll finds Marylanders closely divided on two hot issues that will likely appear on the November ballot – same-sex marriage and tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. Voters are nearly split down the middle, a new Gonzales poll found. Voter also rated Gov. O'Malley, Sen. Cardin and President Obama. [...more]
Members of the General Assembly who spearheaded a petition drive to bring a law granting in-state tuition to some illegal immigrants have proposed legislation for the coming session to solve some of the problems they encountered while trying to get the referendum on the ballot. [...more]
Casa de Maryland is expected to submit tens of thousands of contested Maryland Dream Act referendum signatures to the Office of the Attorney General today (Friday). This marks the first deadline imposed by the courts since the immigrant advocacy group sued the State Board of Elections in early August. [...more]
A legal question that will be answered in a yet-to-be-written Court of Appeals decision means the question is still undecided. It was brought up by Casa de Maryland and several Marylanders in the lawsuit filed earlier this month challenging the planned referendum for a law that could grant illegal immigrants in-state tuition at state colleges. [...more]
A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge has thrown out a lawsuit against Montgomery College that tried to stop its policy of granting in-state tuition to county residents who do not have legal immigration status. [...more]
Immigration remains a hot topic in state legislatures around the country, but Maryland — as usual — bucks the national trend for laws proposed and enacted that crack down on illegal immigrants. According to a report on immigration policy presented at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in San Antonio, 1,592 bills related to immigrants and refugees were introduced in the 50 states this year. Forty states enacted 151 laws and adopted 95 resolutions. [...more]
