Will the Arizona House finally give voters a say on in-state tuition for 'Dreamers'?

Sometimes good policy and good politics converge. 

The state House on Monday takes up Senate Concurrent Resolution 1044, which will let voters the decide whether to give the children of undocumented immigrants, sometimes called “Dreamers,” or DACA kids, the opportunity to attend college on the same tuition basis as their peers. They must attend an Arizona high school for at least two years, graduate here and earn admission into an Arizona university.

Approximately 2,000 kids per year graduate from Arizona high schools in this category, which is roughly 2% to 3% of our graduating population. About half of them want to go to college, mostly starting at the community colleges.

Originally, Proposition 300 forced these students to pay out-of-state tuition, and recently the Arizona Board of Regents has reduced that, but they are still forced to pay far more than their peers. This even though they have been attending school in Arizona for many years, and in spite of their families paying property taxes, sales taxes and other taxes that go towards education.

Sometimes they are forced to move out of state, and Arizona loses productive talent. Some just give up on school because it’s too expensive.

More 'Dreamers' should attend college

So, what should we do about it?  Exactly what SCR 1044 aims to do: let them go to our colleges at in-state rates.

Frankly, we want more of these kids to pursue a higher education. It’s good for them, good for their families, good for our communities, and good for our economy. 

Economically, enabling more kids to go to college is a smart investment. Every student who graduates from college generates much more beneficial economic activity than the average high school graduate. They pay back much more in taxes. Recent estimates put that average number at $380,000 more over their lifetime. 

As a society we get back far more than we put in.

Something else to consider is that the children of “Dreamer” kids are U.S. citizens, and they will be in our community. What path will we put these families on? The college-educated tend to assimilate and contribute. They develop a culture of self reliance. Their children will follow. 

Enabling these students to attend college is wise social policy.

In-state tuition doesn't bolster immigration

There are well documented problems with immigration. But it is unfair and illogical to let our frustrations with facets of the immigration issue affect how we treat these students. They simply followed or were carried here by their parents, and they bear no responsibility for their presence here.

In most cases they know no other place and they consider themselves Americans. Have you heard of Tony Valdovinos? He didn’t even know he was undocumented until he tried to enlist in the Marines. Truly, the kids trying to go to college to become productive contributors don’t hurt this country.  

Some argue this policy leads to more undocumented immigration. That claim is unsupported by data and is also illogical.

Overwhelmingly, undocumented immigrants are driven by economic desperation, are fleeing danger and violence, or both. They mostly come and work in farms, the construction industry, or labor in hospitality jobs. No one is gathering their life savings and risking their life walking through the desert to get their kids in-state tuition at the community college.

This is a silly argument. 

SCR 1044 is an easy win for Arizona

The arguments for SCR 1044 are not partisan. The proposal to treat “Dreamer” kids like their peers is supported in varying degrees across the political spectrum. A recent poll conducted by OH Predictive Insights finds that 62% of Arizonans support this measure, with 29% opposed and the rest undecided.

There is a broad coalition of business, education, civic and religious leaders who support sending “Dreamers” to college on the same basis as all Arizona kids.

We urge legislators to vote for SCR 1044, to refer this question to the voters. It gives voters the chance to decide on a policy that would be an easy win for Arizona.

Denny Barney is president and CEO of PHX East Valley Partnership, a nonprofit that advocates for the needs and interests of the East Valley. Sintra Hoffman is president and CEO of WESTMARC, a public-private partnership that promotes the West Valley. Reach them at dbarney@phxeastvalley.com and shoffman@westmarc.org.