Conservatives Want end to In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

A coalition of conservative organizations, including Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, has called on the Texas House Committee on Higher Education to take legislative action to end in-state tuition and financial aid for illegal immigrants. The effort argues that taxpayer funds should be reserved for Texas citizens struggling with rising college costs.

In a letter to Chairman Terry Wilson (R) and committee members, the coalition emphasized that Texas was the first state to offer in-state tuition to illegal immigrants in 2001, which later expanded financial aid eligibility in 2005 through Senate Bill 1528.

Today, more than 56,000 illegal immigrants are enrolled in Texas institutions of higher education, which costs taxpayers an estimated $459 million annually, according to a 2023 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).

“Texas families are already struggling to afford college and make ends meet, and taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize tuition and financial aid for those in our country illegally,” the letter states.

Abraham George (R), Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, voiced his support for the effort on social media, writing, “I passionately joined a group of conservatives in sending this letter. We must put an end to funding illegals in Texas – whether it’s in education or any other area. It’s time to take action and get it done!”

The letter notes strong public opposition to these subsidies, citing a September 2024 poll that found 72% of Texas voters oppose taxpayer-funded tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. Additionally, 87.63% of Republican primary voters supported ending all such subsidies in a March 2024 referendum.

The effort urges a full repeal of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, as well as reforms to state financial aid programs like the Texas Grant and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). They are also seeking stricter data collection requirements to track non-citizen enrollment in public colleges.