Texans Unite Across the Aisle to Defend the Texas Dream Act

Originally published on txilc.org

Austin – A bipartisan coalition of 29 Texas individuals and organizations—including students, educators, employers, faith leaders, legal professionals, and community groups—has filed an amicus curiae brief defending the Texas Dream Act, a common-sense law that has expanded higher education access and strengthened the state’s workforce for more than two decades.

The brief, filed in support of intervenors challenging a court order that effectively ended the Texas Dream Act, underscores a broad consensus across party lines and sectors: investing in Texas students is investing in Texas’s future.

The Texas Dream Act, enacted in 2001 with bipartisan support, allows eligible Texas high school graduates—regardless of immigration status—to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. A recent court order, issued through a non-adversarial and expedited process, has disrupted that longstanding policy, creating uncertainty for students, families, and institutions statewide.

“The Texas Dream Act has always been a smart, bipartisan policy that reflects what Texans value most—hard work, education, and opportunity,” said Kristin Etter, Director of Policy and Legal Services at the Texas Immigration Law Council. “For more than twenty years, this law has helped Texas students contribute to our classrooms, communities, and economy. Defending it isn’t about politics—it’s about protecting proven solutions that make our state stronger.”

Key Points from the Amicus Brief

• Irreparable Harm to Students and Families:
  The court order has caused immediate harm to students who relied on in-state tuition, leading to tuition hikes, financial instability, and forced college withdrawals. Without clear guidance, institutions have struggled to implement the change consistently and equitably.
• Public Interest and Legislative Authority:
  The collusive nature of the lawsuit, which bypassed the legislative process and adversarial judicial review, undermines public confidence in the judiciary and disregards the Texas Legislature’s repeated, bipartisan support for the Dream Act.
• Economic and Workforce Impact:
  The coalition emphasizes the essential role immigrant students play in sustaining Texas’s economy. Excluding these students from higher education access threatens the state’s workforce pipeline, economic growth, and long-term competitiveness.
• Constitutional and Legal Arguments:
  The Texas Legislature has a constitutional obligation to support public education, and the Texas Dream Act aligns with both state and federal law. The district court misinterpreted Texas tuition statutes and failed to account for the broader policy context.

If members of the press would like to speak with any of the amici or other signees, please contact Giselle Tervalon at the contact information below to coordinate interviews.

Link to amicus.

Media Contact:
Giselle Tervalon
Communication Strategist, Texas Immigration Law Council
[email protected]| 512-537-2957| www.txilc.org

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The Texas Immigration Law Council is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2023 to promote and protect the rights of immigrants and refugees of all nationalities in Texas. The Council promotes meaningful access to justice for immigrants and refugees by serving as a statewide immigrant legal resource center. The Council brings together constituencies across the political spectrum to advance constructive dialogue on immigrant solutions for Texas.