The Trump administration has recently filed a lawsuit to block a Texas law that allows college students, including illegal immigrants, to access reduced in-state tuition rates. This law has been in place for almost 25 years, but the Department of Justice argues that it violates federal laws by providing benefits to illegal aliens that are not available to U.S. citizens.
The Texas law, signed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2001, was the first of its kind in the country to allow young adults without legal status, also known as “Dreamers,” to access reduced-rate in-state tuition. To qualify for this benefit, students must have lived in the state for at least three years before graduating from high school and for one year before enrolling in college. They are also required to sign an affidavit promising to apply for legal residency as soon as possible.
Currently, about 57,000 out of 690,000 students enrolled in Texas’s public universities and colleges are illegal immigrants. This law has paved the way for more than 20 other states to pass similar legislation, offering opportunities for higher education to undocumented students.
However, Florida has taken a different approach by revoking illegal immigrants’ access to government-sponsored benefits at the state level. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will end in-state tuition access for illegal immigrants by July.
The push to end in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in Texas is now coming from the federal level, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s strong stance against illegal immigration. Republican lawmakers in Austin recently failed to repeal the law during the legislative session, leading to the current lawsuit filed by the Trump administration.
If the law is overturned, illegal immigrant students could face a significant increase in tuition rates, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. This move has sparked opposition, with critics arguing that it will hinder students seeking an affordable college education.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the governor’s office for comment on this matter. As the debate continues, it is important to consider the impact of such policies on both illegal immigrant students and the broader community.
In conclusion, the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants is a complex and contentious one, with implications for both education policy and immigration enforcement. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and what the future holds for undocumented students seeking higher education opportunities in Texas and beyond.
