AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Justice Department on Wednesday attempted to block Texas laws that have given college students for decades without legally resident Americans access to reduced state tuition fees and the latest efforts by the Trump administration. Pollution on immigration To the country.
Texas was the first state to pass a law in 2001 that allowed young people who were eligible for tuition in the state or without legal status if they met certain residency standards. And 20 states have similar laws, but the Trump administration filed a lawsuit in conservative Texas. Republican Governor Greg Abbott And state lawmakers have long tried to support tougher targets at the border.
The lawsuit will also take place just a few days after the state legislative meeting concludes. There, a repeal bill promoted by a group of Republicans was considered, but ultimately did not appear for the vote.
The lawsuit now calls on federal judges to block Texas law. It leaps towards a recent executive order signed by Trump, designed to suspend state or local laws or regulations that the administration feels discriminates against legal residents.
“Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal foreigners that do not provide to U.S. citizens,” Attorney General Pam Bondy said. “The Department of Justice will fight relentlessly to establish federal laws and ensure that U.S. citizens are not treated like second-class citizens anywhere in the country.”
Texas has around 57,000 undocumented students registered at public universities and universities. The President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigrationa nonpartisan nonprofit group of university leaders focused on immigration policy. The state has approximately 690,000 students in public universities in total.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and state attorney general Ken Paxton did not immediately comment on the lawsuit, and staff did not immediately respond to email messages seeking comment.
The lawsuit was filed in the Wichita Falls Division of the Northern District of Texas. State and conservative litigants often chose to file lawsuits that challenge issues such as the federal government, healthcare, and gay and transgender rights.
Texas law was initially passed by sweeping out the majority of the Texas legislature and was signed into law by the then GOV. Republican Rick Perry is a way to open access to higher education for lawless, nonresident students who already live in the state. At that time, and now, supporters argue that it is boosting the state’s economy by creating better education and better maintenance capabilities.
“No one will help targeted attacks on Texas students seeking affordable university education led by the Trump administration.
The difference in tuition fees is substantial. For example, at Texas flagship university Austin, state residents paid approximately $11,000 for tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year, compared to about $41,000 for students outside of Texas.
The law allows students without legal resident status to qualify for in-state tuition fees if they lived in the state for a year before graduating from high school or before entering university. They must also sign an affidavit pledging to apply for legal resident status as soon as possible.
However, the policy soon sparked fire from conservatives and critics who called it unfair by legal residents as debates about illegal immigration intensified. In the 2012 Republican presidential primary, Perry apologized after critics saying he had “no heart.”
Legislative efforts to repeal Texas law have repeatedly failed, but have begun to gain traction elsewhere. Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill to do so earlier this year. Abolish the state’s in-state teaching laws July.
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