Jealous Proposes Free University For DREAMers

Ben Jealous, Democratic candidate for the governorship of Maryland was emphatic to mention that all people, regardless of where they are from, or their immigration status, should have free access to a university education. Photo: Álvaro Ortiz / Washington Hispanic.

Jossmar Castillo Washinton Hispanic The candidate for governor of Maryland for the Democratic Party, Ben Jealous, made public this week his plan to expand his proposal of free university studies in community colleges for students covered by the Deferred Action program, better known as DACA.

“That all Maryland students have access to an education is a moral decision that we can not ignore,” Jealous said Wednesday at noon, from the steps of the Maryland House mansion in Hyattsville, while he was accompanied by elected politicians. DACA beneficiaries and members of CASA en Acción, the political arm of Casa de Maryland. Jealous said his expansion proposal would apply with money collected from taxes.

“If we manage half of the DREAMers to continue their studies and graduate,” the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would increase by more than 1,600 million dollars, “said the candidate. In Maryland there are about 1400 young people benefiting from the Deferred Action program, which gives them the opportunity to study and work without fear of being deported. The government of President Donald Trump has fought to eliminate this program. Several young people who graduated from high school and who are already enrolled in community colleges were thrilled to hear the politician’s plans.

Angel, who attends Montgomery College, said many of them, being children of undocumented immigrants, are the only ones with permission to work, and they have to become the providers of family income. “A plan like this would take away a lot of people from us, while also giving the state of Maryland the professionals it needs,” said the young man. Ben Jealous became the Democratic candidate when he defeated Rushern Baker, his closest competitor, in the June primary election.

However, he has a difficult task when facing the Republican governor, Larry Hogan, who seeks to occupy the post for a second consecutive term and has a good level of acceptance among the residents of Maryland. On Wednesday, with the help of a microphone and amplifier, the elected officials, like Ana Sol Gutiérrez, state delegate, gave witness to those present in Jealous’s career in favor of the immigrant community and respect for civil rights in general.

“We have been arrested together several times fighting for the DREAMers, for the Tepesians. It’s not like the current governor, who has abandoned us, “he said as the sound clearly reached the neighboring neighborhood. The general elections are in next November.