Currently the law allows students who graduate from a Texas High School and who have lived in Texas for 3 years to attend a Texas college or university at the in-state tuition rate. Texas led the nation by enacting this law in 2001 with bi-partisan support, and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry.
A bill introduced in the Texas Senate (SB 1819) would change this law and require that undocumented students pay out of state tuition rates. The proposed bill changes Education Code §543.052 adding the following language:
(c) a person who is not authorized under federal statute to be present in the United States may not be considered a resident of this state for purposes of this title.
This would include students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The Bill Analysis for SB 1819 states that:
Undocumented students who currently receive in-state tuition at a public institution of higher education with at least 30 hours of credit before the 2015-16 academic year will be exempt from the changes.
However, I don't find that exception in the proposed Bill.
On Monday, the State Senate subcommittee on border security will have a hearing on SB 1819.
United We Dream has a petition that you can sign opposing SB 1819.
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