Shocking Settlement: Texas Kills Law That Helped Thousands of Immigrant Students Pay for College

Texas and the Trump-era Department of Justice just made a move that could leave thousands of undocumented students facing sky-high tuition bills — and it happened with barely a word to the public.

In a legal settlement that’s making headlines now, Texas and officials from the Trump administration have officially ended a battle over a state law that once gave undocumented immigrants access to in-state college tuition rates. This law had been a major source of hope for students who grew up in Texas but weren’t born in the U.S. Now, with that support gone, many of those students may struggle to afford higher education.

The law, which had been in place for years, allowed undocumented immigrants to pay the same tuition as Texas residents — if they lived in the state for a certain time and graduated from a Texas high school. It didn’t give them any legal immigration status, but it helped many get a shot at college without being crushed by out-of-state fees.

But the Trump-era DOJ claimed the policy was unfair to U.S. citizens from other states who had to pay more. They filed a lawsuit during the Trump administration, and even though Joe Biden took office later, the case continued. Texas kept pressing, and now both sides have reached a quiet agreement to end the law’s protections.

This sudden settlement has left immigrant-rights groups outraged and students heartbroken. Many are calling it a huge setback for “Dreamers” — young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — who saw this law as their only affordable path to college.

Experts say the impact could be massive. Without access to in-state tuition, undocumented students may now face double or even triple the cost to attend college in Texas. That kind of financial pressure could stop many from enrolling at all.

Opponents of the law say this change brings more fairness to the system, arguing that only legal residents should get in-state benefits. But supporters believe it punishes young people who had no choice in how they came to the U.S. — and who have worked hard to build a future in Texas.

With the law now dismantled, students and families are scrambling to figure out their options. Some may have to drop out or delay their education. Others may try to transfer to other states or apply for scholarships that are still open to undocumented youth.

For now, the message is clear: the doors to affordable college in Texas just got a lot narrower — and for thousands of young immigrants, the path forward just got a lot harder.