Amid all the clamor and misinformation regarding the Maryland Dream Act, there has been little real debate about the merits of the law, which was designed to help the children of undocumented workers attend college.

The people this bill helps were brought into America as minors; they've spent much if not most of their life in this country and in our state. The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that children have little control over the consequences of being brought into this country illegally, and should not be denied the rights afforded other children. The court also warned that not educating these children only adds to the problems of unemployment, welfare and crime.

We cannot afford to deny these students an education. The law gives Maryland's young people the help they need to achieve that goal.

Sean Rutherford, Baltimore

The writer is president of the Baltimore County Young Democrats.