UT Students Lobby Against Bills Threatening In-State Tuition For Undocumented Texans

A group of University of Texas students took their fight for the future of undocumented students straight to the Capitol this week, urging lawmakers to protect in-state tuition benefits under threat by new legislation. Led by the predominantly Latino fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta, 15 students organized a lobbying effort to oppose Texas House Bill 160 and Senate Bill 1798 (SB 1798), a measure that threatens to dismantle the Texas Dream Act, a 2001 law that allows undocumented students who meet residency requirements to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. 

A Law with Key Impact on Texas

The Texas Dream Act’s eligibility criteria includes graduating from a Texas high school, living in the state for at least three years, and signing an affidavit of intent to seek permanent residency. Also, in 2021this law enabled 20,137 students to access higher education—1.5% of total state enrollment.

The economic contributions linked to the Dream Act are also significant. That same year, undocumented students paid $81.6 million in tuition and fees. More broadly, undocumented immigrants contributed $5.4 billion in state and local taxes in 2023. Overall, Dream Act recipients generated an estimated $33 billion in additional earnings and $28.5 billion in economic activity.

Speaking for the Silenced

Among the University of Texas students was Abigail Holguin, a junior studying government and Mexican American studies. Holguin read a letter aloud in state Rep. John Lujan’s office using  not her own words, but those of a close friend who is undocumented and afraid to speak publicly. The letter recounted the harmful stereotypes often used to describe immigrants: “lazy,” “criminals,” “job-stealers.” It pushed back forcefully, as reported by The Daily Texan.

“These bills would deeply affect people like my friend, who is law-abiding, morally conscious, and hard-working,” Holguin said.

The advocacy day on April 22 included visits to several legislative offices, including those of Sen. Donna Campbell and Rep. Terry Wilson.

Students organized into teams to speak with legislators from both parties. One of them, Samuel Lawrence Brainard, a sophomore studying interpersonal communication, challenged the polarization of the issue. A self-described conservative, Brainard emphasized that caring about border policy and supporting undocumented students are not mutually exclusive.

“There’s nothing un-American about giving kids who grew up here — who didn’t choose to come — a fair shot at success,” Brainard said.

As debate over immigration and education policy continues in Texas, these students are determined to remind legislators — and the public — that the stakes are human. And the cost of turning away young talent may be higher than many realize.