Austin, Texas — Texas lawmakers voted Wednesday to repeal a 24-year-old law granting in-state tuition to undocumented students, a move critics warn will destabilize the state’s workforce, economy, and educational access. Studies project the decision could cost Texas $460 million annually in lost wages and upend the lives of thousands of students who have long called the state home.
The abrupt reversal, passed during a late-night legislative session, drew immediate condemnation from advocacy groups. United We Dream, a leading immigrant youth organization, called the move “cruel” and out of step with public opinion.
“This attack on students follows a disturbing pattern,” the group said in a statement, citing recent incidents like ICE operations in K–12 schools and the detention of a fourth-grader outside a Houston courthouse. “Texas leaders are betraying the very students who power our state forward.”
The repealed law, enacted in 2001, allowed undocumented students who attended Texas high schools for at least three years to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges. Advocates argue the policy strengthened the economy by fostering an educated workforce.
“Empty seats and broken dreams”
United We Dream warned the policy shift will force enrolled students out of classrooms, leaving campuses with vacant desks and derailing futures. Robbing young people of education based on immigration status isn’t just immoral—it’s self-sabotage,” the statement read.
The group urged Texans to unite against the decision: “Teachers, students, and families must reject this hate. Our future depends on opportunity for all young people.”
Related topics:
- AILA Condemns New Immigration Restrictions, Calls on Congress to Act
- A Guide to Obtaining Permanent Residency in Sweden
- Who Can Apply for a PGWP Extension: Eligibility & Steps
