Page 1 - Executive Summary BC I - final

The Maryland Dream Act…

Vision or Nightmare?

This initial Big Conversation event was a panel presentation on the Maryland
Dream Act followed by a half hour moderated question and answer period.
Middleham and St. Peter's Episcopal Parish offered this "Big Conversation" event
in the belief that communities can benefit from the opportunity to learn about
important issues through open and civil dialogue.

The goal of the session was to provide information about the Maryland Dream
Act (both in support and in opposition) in an environment of openness and
civility.

Panelists

included individuals who had a direct interest in the Maryland Dream Act and each
presented information that served to expand the audience's knowledge of the act
and its impact.

Speaking in support of the Maryland Dream Act were:

• Maryland Senator Victor Ramirez
• Maryland Delegate Sheila Hixson
• Bladensburg High School teacher Elias Vlanton

Speaking in opposition to the act were:

• Maryland Delegate Anthony O'Donnell
• Matt Morgan - who led the repeal effort in St. Mary's County
• Mike Hethmon - General Counsel, Immigration Reform Law Institute

The panel was moderated by Professor Charles Stein of St. Mary’s College of
Maryland.

Questions. Each panelist spoke for up to ten minutes. Following these, panelists
responded to questions from the audience.

The Maryland Dream Act was enacted in May 2011. The act allows
undocumented students to pay in- state tuition at state colleges and universities if

they graduated from a Maryland high school and attended that school for at least
three years. They must attend a community college first, and then transfer to a
university to finish their four-year degree. Such students must prove that they or