A 14-year old law known as the Texas Dream Act could be scrapped soon if this move by a US senator prospers.
Despite opposition from about 176 witnesses, the sponsored bill by Sen. Donna Campbell passed the security subcommittee by a vote of 2-1 which could spell trouble for thousands of undocumented student immigrants hoping to get some financial relief getting into college.
In light of this move, there were reportedly about 100 activists who trooped to the Capitol in an effort to voice out their disapproval.
Sen. Campbell stressed that her intention was to put a stop to the apparent perks that undocumented students were enjoying from the now-controversial Texas Dream Act. As other reforms, the scrapping of the law is seen as something to level the score between documented and undocumented students.
A case in point is the fact that American students pay higher rates and hence the same should be applied to undocumented ones. Though the reasoning may be justified, the issue is still drawing criticism as most feel that it is a result of the highly controversial issue of the immigration reform policy.
Previously, the Texas Dream Act provided students with a big financial boost. Undocumented students were able to attend public college for $8,000 provided they had a high school diploma and pledged to apply for US citizenship.
As it stands now, students would have to try and find a way to settle the out-of-state student fee of $19,000, something that may become a problem for nearly 25,000 Texans who had previously availed of the in-state tuition.
From a standpoint, the repealing of the law does try to address the matter of immigration law breakers. More so, the law does become a magnet which illegally draws in people that is of course unfair for actual American students.
On the other hand, the law does come with its share of benefits. That includes a better-educated society which in turn would be to the benefit of the state of Texas.
