March 06, 2015

Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Rep. Raul Grijalva Send Letter to Attorney General Mark Brnovich to Drop Lawsuit against in-state Tuition to DACA Recipients

Washington, DC – Today Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and Congressman Raul Grijalva sent a letter to Attorney General Mark Brnovich urging him to drop the lawsuit and stop any future action against the Maricopa County Community College District for granting in-state tuition to DACA recipients.

"This lawsuit is nothing but another frivolous political attack against our immigrant community and a waste of our tax dollars. The federal government made clear that DACA recipients are considered lawfully present in our country and therefore qualify for in-state tuition under MDCCC policy," said Rep. Ruben Gallego. He added, "Republicans in Arizona have reached a new low trying to take away affordable higher education from young people who grew up in our state, pay taxes, and just want to learn and give back to Arizona. I urge Attorney General Brnovich to stop using our state resources for political purposes, drop this lawsuit and stop any future actions to deny in-state tuition to DACA recipients."

"As a former prosecutor, I am disappointed that the state of Arizona is taking legal actions that hurt young people whose only crime is seeking an education. Pricing these kids out of a basic education will make it even harder for them to get good jobs, contribute to our economy and build a stronger future. The American dream should be available to every child who calls our country home," said Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick.

Rep. Raul Grijalva said, "The people of Arizona deserve more for their tax dollars than this ideological attack on students who simply want to learn and contribute to the only nation they've known as home. MCCCD is well within state and federal laws in allowing DACA beneficiaries to be considered for in-state tuition rates. The fact that our former Attorney General would squander tax money on litigation against MCCCD over this was bad enough. Seeing our new Attorney General pick up where the last left off is flat out shameful."

View the letter, here

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