Texas Repeals Law That Benefited Undocumented Students

• Texas repeals education law
• Impacts 70,000 students
• State tuition debate grows

A federal judge in Texas struck down a state law that, since 2001, had allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates.

The decision directly affects more than 70,000 young people who had been studying under this policy, known as the Texas Dream Act.

The law, passed under then-Governor Rick Perry, a Republican, guaranteed certain undocumented youth access to in-state college tuition.

Now, with this repeal, those students will be required to pay out-of-state tuition rates, which are significantly higher.

Texas makes key decision on university education and repeals the Texas Dream Act

The Northern District Court of Texas deemed the Texas Dream Act “unconstitutional and invalid,” responding to a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump’s administration.

According to the Department of Justice, the state was “unconstitutionally discriminating” against U.S. citizens “in favor” of foreigners.

“In-state tuition for illegal immigrants has finally ended in Texas, something I strongly welcome after introducing legislation to end this practice over multiple sessions,” posted State Senator Brandon Creighton on Thursday.

The court order was celebrated by Republican figures who had long sought to eliminate this benefit.

In contrast, Democratic leaders and immigrant rights advocates condemned the decision as unfair and regressive.

Congressman Joaquín Castro, a Democrat from San Antonio, stated that this legislation “will hurt Texans.”

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Castro also reminded the public that it was a Republican governor, Rick Perry, who championed the Texas Dream Act in 2001.

“This ruling is a blow to thousands of young people who grew up here, graduated here, and simply want to study and contribute,” said support groups.

Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that the court’s decision is now permanently in effect across the state of Texas.

Currently, Texas is home to around 73,000 undocumented students in higher education—nearly 18% of the national total—according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.

The program had allowed young people without citizenship, but with a high school education in Texas, to pay local tuition rates at public universities.

This arrangement exempted them from the more expensive out-of-state tuition fees.

Many of these students now face economic barriers to continuing their college education.

Pro-immigrant organizations are already preparing legal actions and protests in response to what they see as a “criminalization of education.”

With this ruling, Texas becomes one of the first states to roll back a law that provided equitable access to higher education for undocumented youth.

Do you think undocumented students should have access to in-state tuition if they’ve graduated from local schools?

SOURCE: EFE