Aliento's Statement on the passage of Prop. 308

For immediate release:                           

Media Contact: Reyna Gutierrez
reyna@icstrategyaz.com
480.495.3348

PHOENIX, AZ.- Aliento´s Founder and CEO, Reyna Montoya released the following statement tonight after early midterm elections results showed the passage of Prop. 308: In-State Tuition for Dreamers:

“Today is a bright day in Arizona for our Dreamers and our state. Education equity is closer to being a reality in our state because Prop. 308 passed!

“At Aliento, we are overjoyed to know that Arizonans raised their voices through the ballot box. Voters acknowledged that students, regardless of their immigration status, should have an opportunity for higher education that is equitable and affordable if they grew up here. This is a huge win for our state and our communities; thank you to our students for educating over 65,000 Arizona voters who made in-state tuition for Dreamers possible.

“This is the result of many years of hard work. It's thanks to the tireless work of our communities, especially our students, and our allies that made sure Prop. 308 would be on the ballot this year. From many conversations at the state capitol with both Republican and Democrat legislators, the thousands of doors we knocked, to the tens of thousands of calls we made to talk to voters about what Prop. 308 means to our state, encouraging them to go out and vote in support of our Arizona students. 

“The passage of Prop. 308 will bring critical benefits to Arizona. Not only will our universities become more competitive, but businesses will attract, and retain more of our Arizona talent, as well as economic contributions that Dreamers eligible for in-state tuition costs will bring by enabling each graduate to drive an estimated additional $660,000 into our economy versus those with only a high school degree, as well as paying as much as an additional $2.4 million in state and local taxes and the same additional amount in federal taxes, according to American Immigration Council Fact Sheet, June 14, 2022.

“Aliento will continue to work to ensure the proper implementation of Prop. 308 to ensure that Dreamers, DACAmented, and Undocumented students that graduate high school each year in Arizona can access higher education.” 

The following are statements from students, advocates, and members of the community about the passage of Prop. 308:

“I am more than excited to learn that Proposition 308 was approved by Arizona’s voters. This is truly a vindication of the work that has been done for the last 15 years or more by many members of the community. I am pleased to know that Arizona voters removed any barriers to allow Arizona students to attain their educational goals.” - José Patiño, VP of Education and External Affairs.

 “I will graduate from high school this school year, and as an undocumented student, I have struggled more than my peers due to the lack of immigration status. One of the more difficult things has been living with the idea that I may not be able to attend college due to the lack of support. But today, with the passing of Proposition 308, my life will change, I will have the opportunity to reach my dream of becoming a neurologist,  regardless of my immigration status.” – Maria Dominguez, an impacted student.

“Proposition 308 is happening in Arizona! We are making sure our Dreamers, DACAmented, and Undocumented students like my sister are able to attain their educational goals. As a first-time voter, I am overjoyed that because of this, the life of over 2,000 Dreamers who graduate from Arizona high schools each year will be positively impacted.” – Denise Garcia, Aliento Ally.

About Aliento 

Aliento serves undocumented, DACA, and mixed immigration status families to transform trauma into hope and action. Aliento is youth-led, directly impacted people and allies who are co-creating and building a place where human potential is nurtured and not defined by immigration status. Aliento supports students and families impacted by the inequities of lacking an immigration status through education initiatives, arts & healing programming, leadership development training, policy & advocacy.