ANNAPOLIS, Md. – As many southern states pass news laws to crack down on illegal immigrants, the Maryland General Assembly is moving to allow them to pay in-state college tuition, if they meet certain conditions.
The Maryland House voted 74-66 on Friday for the measure. The Senate already has approved similar legislation.
The Legislature adjourns Monday night, and the two chambers will have to work out some differences for the measure to go to Gov. Martin O'Malley, who has said he will sign it.
Illegal immigrants would have to complete two years at a community college and show that their parents paid state income taxes for the three years before they enrolled to qualify for in-state tuition.
Democrats say it creates opportunity for people who have lived in Maryland for years, but Republicans contend it rewards illegal behavior at taxpayers' expense.
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