Prop 308: In-state tuition for undocumented students

FOX 9's Adam Klepp details the arguments for and against the proposition

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - This November, an Arizona ballot initiative would allow undocumented students, also known as “dreamers” to qualify for in-state tuition for Arizona colleges.

If Prop 308 were to pass, undocumented students who have lived in Arizona for two years or more and graduated from an Arizona high school would be eligible for in-state tuition.

“These are kids who have gone to the same schools, churches, played on a little league team, and they’re just looking for the same opportunity as everyone else," Yes on 308 campaign manager Carlos Alfaro said.

Alfaro says the Arizona Legislative Budget Committee did a study on Prop 308 and the results showed the prop would not add any new taxes on Arizonans.

He believes prop 308 has bipartisan support.

“There is no opposition to this, it’s the most common sense thing on the ballot and the most bipartisan,” Alfaro said.

But there is some opposition.

On the Arizona GOP website, Republicans are encouraged to vote no on Prop 308, because “Democrats in Arizona are trying to give taxpayer-subsidized tuition amnesty to our state universities for illegals."

However, the website does not mention it was Republican State Senator Paul Boyer who introduced the ballot initiative.

Both Senator Boyer and the AZ GOP said they did not have time for an interview about Prop 308.

Alfaro says Arizona would not be the first conservative-leaning state to adopt this type of law.

“Arizona would be joining 20 other states that have actually passed this, including conservative states like Florida," Alfaro said.