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In 2010 Yves graduated from Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville in the top 5 percent of his class. It was a bittersweet achievement. He had completed the first step in pursuing his dream to become a doctor, but did not know what the future would hold considering he was undocumented.

BY BETH REILLY
SPECIAL TO THE UMCONNECTION

As we head to the polls in November, should United Methodists in Maryland support or oppose the Maryland DREAM Act, which addresses tuition rates for immigrants at public institutions of higher education?

This legislation passed the General Assembly in 2011 but was put on hold due to a successful petition drive. The act allows immigrant students to pay in-state tuition rates for college, as opposed to the out-of-state rates, which make college unaffordable for most. 

There are various reasons why some people oppose this legislation.

One concern is that immigrant youth may take away college placement for U.S. citizens. However, community colleges have open enrollment and should students transfer to a four-year college, they will not be counted as in-state students for purposes of determining the number of Maryland undergraduate students enrolled.

Some think that immigrants do not pay taxes and therefore should not receive the in-state tuition rates. However, immigrants do pay taxes -- income, property and sales taxes. In fact, in order to qualify for in-state tuition rates, parents or legal guardians must have filed Maryland taxes for the years their children were in high school, in community college and for any years in between.

One may also hear that if youth are undocumented, they will not be able to work in the United States after their graduation. However, President Obama has acted to make undocumented immigrants immune from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, have no criminal history, graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED certificate, or served in the military.

Another concern is that if this legislation is approved, undocumented immigrants will flood Maryland for this benefit. However, the majority of states that already offer in-state tuition regardless of immigration status (California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin) recorded less than 300 total students per semester taking advantage of this provision, less than 0.5 percent of the total student enrollment. In Maryland, an estimated 135 students would be eligible for the program.

Some believe that immigrant youth should just become citizens. However, immigrant youth seeking this relief have most often been brought to the U.S. by their parents at a very young age, and they cannot apply for citizenship until they are 18. Students applying for in-state tuition must begin the process toward citizenship, but it usually takes six to eight years for completion.

Perhaps the most prevalent reason for opposing the Maryland DREAM Act is because some students who receive the in-state tuition rates will be undocumented.Despite the fact that parents made the decision to reside here, nevertheless the children should not benefit from in-state rates, the critics say. We are law-abiding people; and the law should determine our attitude towards these youth.

Can a person of Christian faith justify this response to the Maryland DREAM Act?

Let us consider a faith-based response. In Scripture, we are given guidelines on how we are to treat “the stranger” in our midst, and it is clear that we are to be hospitable, welcoming and loving. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19)

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to “welcome the stranger” (Matthew 25), and he commands us to “love our neighbor.” Our example is the Good Samaritan, who provided help to a foreigner, regardless of systems, emotions and consequences that deterred others from taking action.

We are challenged when our faith conflicts with state and national laws. However, consider how others have worked to change systems that have been unjust, cruel or demeaning towards those who are vulnerable.

Jesus healed on the Sabbath despite the laws and expectations of his community, as he prioritized human need over legalistic attitudes and throughout history people have boldly demonstrated a better way as they sought to eliminate discrimination, racism, abuse, poverty and violence.

In our Book of Social Principles, United Methodists commit to “recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination.” Further, United Methodists “urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.”

Resources for local churches are available at www.bwcumc.org/gbcs/advocacy/immigration.