I've been planning for years based on the Texas Dream Act. It passed in 2001 and said undocumented students who graduated from Texas high schools could pay in-state tuition. I've told myself this whole time: I can do this. It's affordable. I just have to get in.
Then last week, everything changed. My friend texted me a news article saying the Dream Act was gone. A federal judge ruled it unconstitutional, and the state isn't defending it .
I stayed up until 3 AM reading everything I could find. Here's what I learned:
What happened: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Texas, arguing the law discriminated against U.S. citizens. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton chose not to defend it. A federal judge quickly ruled it unconstitutional .
What it means: About 19,500 students who signed affidavits to get in-state tuition in 2023 now face uncertainty. Some schools haven't figured out their policies yet. Students are scrambling .
One student's story: Jorge, 21, wanted to transfer to Texas State for engineering. With in-state tuition, he could afford it working multiple jobs. Without it, his costs would double to about $24,520 per year — impossible for him .
What students are doing: Some are racing to finish degrees before changes take effect. Others are looking at Mexican universities. A group of students asked to intervene in the case, but that could take months .
I'm devastated. I don't know what to do now. I worked so hard. I did everything right. And now the rules changed.
Does anyone know if there's hope? Can this be overturned? Are there any options left?
Then last week, everything changed. My friend texted me a news article saying the Dream Act was gone. A federal judge ruled it unconstitutional, and the state isn't defending it .
I stayed up until 3 AM reading everything I could find. Here's what I learned:
What happened: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Texas, arguing the law discriminated against U.S. citizens. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton chose not to defend it. A federal judge quickly ruled it unconstitutional .
What it means: About 19,500 students who signed affidavits to get in-state tuition in 2023 now face uncertainty. Some schools haven't figured out their policies yet. Students are scrambling .
One student's story: Jorge, 21, wanted to transfer to Texas State for engineering. With in-state tuition, he could afford it working multiple jobs. Without it, his costs would double to about $24,520 per year — impossible for him .
What students are doing: Some are racing to finish degrees before changes take effect. Others are looking at Mexican universities. A group of students asked to intervene in the case, but that could take months .
I'm devastated. I don't know what to do now. I worked so hard. I did everything right. And now the rules changed.
Does anyone know if there's hope? Can this be overturned? Are there any options left?