State Sen. Ronald Young's rationale for backing the so-called Maryland Dream Act falls way short of the mark (“The rationale for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants,” The Gazette, May 19).

By trying to convince his constituents that he actually had well thought-out reasons for backing this lawless legislation, Young instead highlights that he is nothing more than a puppet for the radical bill sponsors: state Sen. Victor Ramirez, Casa of Maryland and the illegal immigrant community.

Let's start with Young's flawed "facts."

Most states and jurisdictions actually support the federal government in enforcing immigration law, including his own Frederick County, where Sheriff Chuck Jenkins is a role model for the nation.

And with the recent Supreme Court decision on backing the rights of states to implement the federal E-Verify worker screening program on a mandatory basis, any further taxpayer funds to support illegal immigrant college students is a sure loser.

Young seems to have forgotten that illegal immigrants, with or without a college education, can't legally work, vote or get a drivers' license in Maryland.

Young's cavalier attitude toward college presidents already providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrant students as well as illegal-immigrant families that are working in violation of the law is also quite telling.

The Maryland Dream Act, which has no enforcement mechanism, seems to be right up Young's alley. The promise of false state tax submissions, proof of employment and promises of filing for citizenship and Selective Service will never be investigated or enforced.

Like the failed federal Dream Act, the Maryland Dream Act is a magnet to attract additional illegal immigrants to our communities and another step toward incremental amnesty, all opposed by Maryland taxpayers.

The facts are that Marylanders are tired of paying more than $1.5 billion annually for K-12 education, nonemergency health care, welfare, food stamps, housing and energy assistance, day laborer job centers, and a host of other social services all for illegal immigrants and their families.

Let's not even discuss the taxpayer costs of crime, gang violence and use of the criminal justice system these same illegal immigrants force taxpayers to absorb.

In-state college tuition will add tens of millions more to our tax bills. Frankly, it's cheaper to enforce immigration laws.

While Young clings to the argument that illegal immigrants pay taxes, the truth is that foreign and domestic tourists visiting Maryland actually pay more in taxes and spend more dollars in our communities. The best part about tourists is that they go home without using the vast majority of social services listed above.

The United States allows 1 million legal immigrants in each year, people who are truly interested in becoming Americans. Young's so-called "immigrants" are law-breakers who have no moral or legal right to be here and who primarily view Maryland more as a job site, paycheck and social service center rather than wanting to become part of our rich and vibrant American culture.

In-state college tuition is yet another benefit for arriving through the back door and setting up shop in Maryland.

To regain any credibility with this Frederick constituents, I would suggest that Young go to www.mdpetitions.com and join the tens of thousands of citizens across the state who want the people to decide if in-state college tuition is a worthy endeavor for taxpayer funding.

Brad Botwin, Rockville

The writer is the director of Help Save Maryland.