TALK TO THE TALON: Tuition Reversals Unjust and Undemocratic

Letter to the Editor from ETX Monarchs

Texas’s Reversal of In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students is Unjust and Undemocratic

Texas’s decision to revoke in-state tuition for undocumented students is not only harmful to those seeking education but also fundamentally undemocratic. In 2001, Texas passed a policy allowing undocumented immigrants who had lived in the state for at least three years to qualify for in-state tuition—provided they pursued legal status. These individuals contribute to the state through sales taxes, property taxes—if homeowners—and vehicle fees just like any other taxpayer. Yet, Texas and the federal government colluded to overturn this policy through a lawsuit rather than through legislative debate. By bypassing the state legislature, officials ignored the will of the people, revealing a disregard for democratic representation.

The Flawed Logic Behind Denying In-State Tuition

The federal government justified its lawsuit by claiming that offering in-state tuition to non-citizens violates federal law. However, this reasoning is inconsistent. If a Texas resident attends an out-of-state university, they pay higher tuition because they don’t contribute to that state’s taxes. Yet undocumented Texans do pay state taxes, so why are they denied the same benefits?

As a member of the East Texas Monarchs poignantly observed: “I’ll never take for granted the privilege of education—or the professors who fought for me when systems didn’t, who saw my potential when the system only saw my status. But talent shouldn’t depend on luck or the kindness of individuals. This country preaches the ‘American Dream’ while building walls to keep dreamers out. For every student like me who made it through, how many brilliant minds are left behind?”

The policy change wasn’t about fairness; it was about excluding a vulnerable group from opportunities. The state even celebrated this as a “victory,” exposing its true motive: disenfranchisement rather than equity.

An Attack on Democracy and State Sovereignty

Worse than the policy itself is how it was enacted—through judicial manipulation rather than legislation. Texas officials, unable to repeal the law through proper channels, used the courts to circumvent democracy. This undermines the foundational principle of state autonomy, allowing the federal government to interfere in local matters on behalf of state executives. Such overreach silence’s public opinion and betrays the spirit of self-determination that Texas was built upon. This isn’t just an attack on immigrants; it’s an assault on the very principles of fair governance—and as the East Texas Monarchs member reminds us: “Gratitude won’t fix broken systems. Potential shouldn’t require permission slips.”