The ACLU of Maryland supports HB 1536, which would allow more individuals to qualify for in-state tuition under the Maryland Dream Act that was passed by referendum in 2012. Specifically, it removes barriers to receiving in-state tuition such as requiring attendance at a community college, applying to post-secondary school within four years of graduating high school (or equivalent), and requiring the filing of a Maryland tax return. Finally, it provides protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) recipients who did not qualify for Maryland Dream funding, but may need alternative sources of funding to continue their education due to the uncertainty of the DACA program at the federal level.
