Texas Senate Democrats: Ending the Texas Dream Act is a Cruel Betrayal of Texas Students with Dire Economic Consequences

Austin, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus and the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against the Texas Dream Act—a law that, for over 20 years, allowed certain undocumented students who graduated from Texas high schools to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities:

The state’s refusal to defend the Texas Dream Act is a cruel and calculated betrayal of the values state leaders claim to stand for: opportunity, hard work and hope for the next generation.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about policy. It’s about punishment. Students who grew up here, went to our schools and played on our teams are now being told they don’t belong. All because of where they were born—a decision they should not be blamed for.

The Texas Dream Act is not a handout. It is common sense policy, supported by both parties and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry in 2001. It said: if you live here and graduate here, you should have a fair shot at college. That promise has now been ripped away—not by voters, but by the courts.

Reports show that these students paid more than $80 million in tuition in 2021 alone. Many are studying to become nurses, engineers, teachers—critical members of our future workforce. That’s why the Texas Association of Business strongly opposed efforts to repeal the law. Turning away talent does not make Texas stronger—it makes us fall behind.

The state’s business leaders have warned repeatedly that repealing in-state tuition will have severe economic consequences with Texas losing an estimated $461 million annually in economic activity, including $244.4 million in lost wages and $216.9 million in diminished spending power. Such outcomes would negatively impact businesses, communities across the state and the overall Texas economy.

Tens of thousands of students used this law to attend college, pay tuition and strengthen our workforce. Now, with this repeal, many are unsure if they can afford to stay in school at all.

Texas Senate Democrats fought to keep the promise of the Texas Dream Act alive, and we are not done. We stand with Texas Dreamers. We’ll keep fighting for their future—and for a Texas that honors hard work, not hate.