Arizona Dreamers score huge victory with in-state tuition proposition

Phoenix, Arizona - Dreamers in Arizona celebrated a big victory with the passage of Proposition 308, a ballot measure to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students.

Immigrants' rights activists with Aliento pose together as votes are counted for Proposition 308 in Arizona.
Immigrants' rights activists with Aliento pose together as votes are counted for Proposition 308 in Arizona.  © Screenshot/Twitter/ReynaEMontoya

After several tense days of counting, supporters of Prop 308 declared victory on Monday night after getting 51.3% of the vote.

With the ballot initiative, any student, regardless of their legal status, will be eligible for in-state tuition at Arizona state colleges and universities, so long as they have graduated from an Arizona high school and lived in the state for at least two years prior.

Currently, many Dreamers – or undocumented individuals who immigrated to the US as children – are eligible for a program that caps their tuition fees at 150% of in-state costs. Out-of-state tuition is more than double what in-state students pay.

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The news of Prop 308's passage comes over a decade after Arizona voters decided to bar Dreamers from state aid in higher education. Prop 308 will also repeal part of that 2006 measure that banned Dreamers from receiving state-funded grants and scholarships.

Dreamers celebrate Prop 308's passage

Aliento volunteers celebrate the passage of Prop 308 in Arizona.
Aliento volunteers celebrate the passage of Prop 308 in Arizona.  © Screenshot/Twitter/ReynaEMontoya

Conservative actors went all-in on anti-immigrant messaging during the Arizona midterms in an effort to stop Prop 308, but it wasn't enough to prevent a big win for Dreamers.

The victory provides yet another sign that the political climate in Arizona, once a Republican stronghold, is shifting – with life-changing impacts for many young people across the state.

"Today is a bright day for Arizona. I had to endure the heartbreak of not getting in-state tuition alongside 16 graduating classes," Aliento founder and CEO Reyna Montoya told TAG24 NEWS. "I am overjoyed that Arizona voters decided to ensure Arizona Dreamers have an opportunity to pay it forward."

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"Education equity is within reach because youth like us believed we could change hearts and minds when we focus on what we have in common," she added.

Prop 308 is expected to go into effect as soon as the result is certified, meaning that Dreamers may start paying in-state tuition by the spring semester.

Cover photo: Screenshot/Twitter/ReynaEMontoya

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