It took more than four years for Maricopa Community Colleges to come in compliance with state law on illegal immigrants’ tuition, and now it looks like it may take just three months for the Board to reverse itself, and violate state law.

Sen. Linda Gray has learned the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday night, to consider backing out of a March tuition agreement that finally put the Colleges in compliance with Proposition 300. That is the proposition passed by more than 70% of Arizona voters in 2006, barring illegal immigrants from in-state tuition.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the District Support Services Center at 2411 W. 14th St. in Tempe.

“Voters made it clear nearly five years ago, that illegal aliens should not earn in-state status. The Board has dragged its feet for years, but finally, with the March vote, they decided to fully follow state law,” says Sen. Gray. “Now, even before the tuition schedule goes into effect on July 1, the Board is re-considering its action. That is unacceptable.”

The wording of Proposition 300 is clear on this issue. “A person who was not a citizen or legal resident of the United States or who is without lawful immigrant status is not entitled to classification as an in-state student….”

“Years ago, voters told these schools, “Don’t use state money to subsidize tuition for illegal immigrants. It is sad that more than four years later, we are still waiting for Maricopa Community Colleges to hear the voters, and even sadder that they are considering turning their back again on those voters,” says Sen. Gray.