ARIZONA NEWS

Prop 308, measure to give Arizona ‘dreamers’ in-state tuition, passes

Nov 14, 2022, 8:19 PM | Updated: Nov 15, 2022, 7:23 am

(ASU News Photo/Charlie Leight)...

(ASU News Photo/Charlie Leight)

(ASU News Photo/Charlie Leight)

PHOENIX — Students in Arizona will again be able to pay in-state tuition and qualify for state financial aid regardless of their immigration status.

Proposition 308 was projected to pass Monday evening, according to The Associated Press.

In doing so, Arizona will join at least 19 other states that already offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Arizona used to do the same until voters passed a ballot measure in 2006 to prohibit that.

Prop 308 had an advantage of more than 60,000 votes in favor at last count, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

Supporters said the passage of Prop 308 would make college more attainable for tens of thousands of undocumented students who grew up in Arizona.

Opponents argued in-state tuition and state financial aid are benefits that should only be made available to students with a legal status.

Prop 308 was referred to the Nov. 8 ballot by the Arizona State Legislature. State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita was among the Republicans who voted against it. She believed it was unfair to provide benefits to undocumented students.

“This is a population that is here obviously illegally,” Ugenti-Rita said. “To grant them a consideration, special treatment, a discount flies in the face of our rule of law and order.”

Reyna Montoya, founder and CEO of the community organization Aliento, lobbied for legislation to get Prop 308 on the ballot.

She pointed out about 2,000 undocumented students graduate from Arizona high schools every year, and the state has already invested in their K-12 education.

“It’s really smart from an Arizona perspective to allow them to pay it forward,” she said. “When they graduate with a four-year-degree from one of our state universities, they will be able to do a return of investment of over $600,000.”

Supporters held a virtual press conference Monday morning and touted the bipartisan coalition of supporters who rallied behind Prop 308.

Tyler Montague, a Republican and chair of the Yes on 308 campaign, noted the initiative was backed by a number of Democrats and Republicans, including former President Barck Obama and Mesa Mayor John Giles.

Montague specifically thanked the GOP leaders whom he said put their reputations on the line and were “viciously attacked for helping us.”

“They staked it with us, and I’m unbelievably happy about this,” he said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has downsized his external communications staff from seven to ...

Associated Press

New Maricopa County recorder signals shift away from combating disinformation

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is moving away from the office's previous efforts to combat misinformation.

50 minutes ago

2025 flu season worse than it's been in 15 years, data shows...

Serena O'Sullivan

Arizona nurse practitioner says this flu season is worse than last

The 2025 flu season is hitting Arizonans hard, with some patients staying sick for a whole week, according to a Banner Health nurse practitioner.

3 hours ago

climate change, young people, Mesa...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Young adults and teens combat climate change through Mesa initiative

A new Mesa grant initiative will allow young adults and teens to compete for funding for projects and ideas that address climate change.

3 hours ago

Fountain Hills law enforcement...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Fountain Hills announces drop in law enforcement costs without reduced service

A law enforcement contract between Fountain Hills and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office will drop in cost in the upcoming year without any reduction in service.

3 hours ago

Investigators look at a crashed Learjet at Scottsdale Airport after it collided with a parked plane...

Associated Press

1 killed, 3 injured in Scottsdale Airport runway crash involving Mötley Crüe singer’s plane

One person died and three others were hurt when a plane owned by Mötley Crüe's singer collided with another plane the Scottsdale Airport runway.

12 hours ago

drug bust...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Police arrest 5 suspects in social media drug ring

Five suspects took part in a social media drug ring and were arrested for trafficking military style weapons, firearms and drugs.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Prop 308, measure to give Arizona ‘dreamers’ in-state tuition, passes