IMMIGRATION

 National Immigration Forum -   On November 12, Texas State Representative Terri Leo Wilson (R) filed House Bill (H.B.) 160 to be introduced in the state legislature during the 2025 legislative session. This bill would eliminate in-state tuition for undocumented students in Texas, potentially request back payment, and require colleges and universities to disclose students’ immigration status to law enforcement.

In 2001, Texas became the first state in the country to allow undocumented students living to
access in-state tuition through the state’s so-called Dream Act. Today, in-state tuition helps nearly
57,000 Dreamers and other undocumented students pursuing higher education in Texas to
achieve their goals and earn degrees to benefit their communities.

To qualify for in-state tuition under the state’s Dream Act, noncitizens must be Texas residents
for the three years leading up to their high school graduation or GED completion, as well as the year immediately before enrolling in a Texas public college or university. They must also sign an affidavit pledging to apply for Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status as soon as they are eligible to do so. Under Texas law, U.S. citizens receive in-state tuition in Texas if they or their parents reside in the state for at least one year leading up to enrollment