Undocumented Students Lose In-State Tuition Access
Over 120,000 undocumented college students have lost in-state tuition eligibility due to Department of Justice lawsuits, with more than 218,000 others at risk. The legal actions, part of a federal immigration campaign, argue the policies incentivize illegal immigration, a claim advocates dispute.
More than 120,000 undocumented college students have lost access to in-state tuition rates following federal lawsuits. According to data from the Higher Education Immigration Portal, lawsuits filed by the Department of Justice put eligibility for more than 218,000 additional students in jeopardy. The legal actions, part of the Trump administration's immigration campaign, argue that offering in-state tuition to undocumented students provides an unfair advantage over U.S. Citizens from other states. The Department of Justice claims such policies incentivize illegal immigration. Advocates strongly dispute this view. Miriam Feldblum, president of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, criticized the strategy, noting that before the recent lawsuits, 25 states and Washington, D.C., allowed undocumented students to pay in-state rates.
Policy Reversal Disrupts Student Lives
The experience of a student named Kendra illustrates the disruption. The 21-year-old, born in Mexico, enrolled at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with dreams of a medical career. Her plans relied on the Texas Dream Act, which granted her in-state tuition. That law was blocked by a court in June 2025 after a DOJ lawsuit, forcing Kendra to reassess everything. She took months off school and briefly considered returning to Mexico. she transferred to South Texas College, where a scholarship from TheDream.US covers more of her costs. She switched from premed to an associate degree in child development. Susan Collins of TheDream.US said her organization scrambled to help students transfer after the Texas law fell, emphasizing the need for a federal solution providing a path to citizenship.
Financial Burden and Persistence
Not all affected students transferred. A University of Houston student named Beth fought to stay for her senior year. Her tuition jumped from roughly $6,000 to $14,000 per semester. Beth took on campus work, freelance design jobs, and borrowed from her mother to pay the bill. She managed to graduate on time in May despite the added stress and financial strain. Many others may not be as fortunate. Wil Del Pilar of EdTrust said the lawsuits create widespread confusion and argued it is shortsighted to limit access to education and training for this group.
Legal Landscape Remains Uncertain
The outcome of the numerous state lawsuits is still unclear. Miriam Feldblum pointed out that each state's policy differs, which could lead to varied court decisions. Kendra, now at a two-year college, still takes a bus to her old university campus to study with friends. She asks them about their classes so she won't fall behind if she ever returns.
