GARLAND, TX — A fierce legal battle is underway to restore the Texas Dream Act, a landmark policy that allowed certain undocumented college students to pay in-state tuition.
The law’s recent suspension has sparked legal action, protests, and concern from students who say their futures now hang in the balance.
Student Spotlight: Oscar Silva’s Fight for Education
Oscar Silva, who has lived in Garland since he was a toddler, says the Texas Dream Act made his college education possible.
“My senior year, I remember being terrified,” Silva said. “A lot of the scholarships I tried to apply for were only for U.S. citizens. For the longest, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to afford college.”
Thanks to the law, Silva attended the University of North Texas and is now completing his master’s degree in accounting. He says the opportunity gave him a much-needed sense of normalcy.
“I could sit in classes with my peers and pretend like everything was normal—that I belonged there just as much as they did.”
Legal Action: ACLU, Advocates Step In
Several law firms and nonprofit organizations — including the ACLU of Texas — have filed a lawsuit challenging the ruling that struck down the Dream Act in June.
“We have a strong argument,” said Valeria Alvarado of the ACLU. “The Texas Dream Act is not going away without a fight.”
The law was originally passed in 2001 with bipartisan support, championed by then-state Rep. Domingo Garcia.
“It’s just cruel, manipulative, and mean-spirited,” Garcia said of the repeal effort. “For over two decades, this law has helped thousands of young Texans. Repealing it now serves no one.”
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Without the Act, Tuition Nearly Doubles
For Silva, the impact is immediate and devastating. In-state tuition for his graduate program costs about $7,600 per year, but now that he’s considered an out-of-state student, the price tag has jumped to $12,600.
“I want to finish my master’s. I want to see my degrees to the end,” Silva said. “But now I’ve got to fight just to keep going.”
What’s Next?
The case is expected to make its way through the courts in the coming months. If the Texas Dream Act is not reinstated, thousands of undocumented students could be priced out of college, according to education advocates.
Should Texas Continue Offering In-State Tuition to Dreamers?
Do you believe the Texas Dream Act should be reinstated? Share your thoughts in the comments below on ridgecrestpact.org.
