For Immediate Release: February 12, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Event Recap & Recording: Legal, Policy, and Higher Education Leaders Outline Path Forward to Protect Dreamers’ Tuition Equity
[WASHINGTON, DC] — Yesterday, legal, policy, and higher education leaders convened for a virtual press briefing to address growing federal challenges to in-state tuition policies for undocumented students and to outline concrete steps states and campuses can take to protect tuition equity. The event featured leaders from Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), TheDream.US, The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and Trinity Washington University, alongside Alex, a Florida student directly impacted by these policies.
Speakers addressed recent lawsuits brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against seven state policies allowing eligible undocumented students to pay regular tuition rates at state institutions. These legal challenges come amidst a mounting swath of federal policies that jeopardize Dreamers’ ability to access college, graduate, and put their degrees to work for the nation. Panelists also highlighted the guidance and resources in the newly released Protecting Tuition Equity Playbook, from the Higher Education Coordinating Group convened by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and FWD.us. The Playbook offers a clear, actionable roadmap for states, coalitions, and campuses, affirming the legality of tuition equity policies and outlining concrete steps leaders can take now to defend Dreamers’ access to affordable higher education in the face of federal challenges.
Monica Andrade, Director of State Policy and Legal Strategy at the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration said: “Over the past two decades, states across the country have adopted tuition equity laws, reflecting long-standing and bipartisan recognition of their social and economic benefits. Protecting access to in-state tuition for undocumented students is essential to advancing educational equity, strengthening higher education institutions, and supporting strong state economies and thriving communities.”
Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF described the legal effort to undermine eligible undocumented students’ access to regular tuition rates at state institutions as, “challenging access to higher education for students who were raised and educated in the United States and who have worked hard enough in school to earn admission, but need in-state tuition rates to afford it. This effort by the Trump and Bondi Administration would take talent that our economy and society need and make it unavailable by denying these students the chance to develop to their highest potential through higher education. Even more disturbing, the federal government is attempting to game the court system to achieve that goal by challenging these duly enacted, longstanding laws.”
Dr. Hyein Lee, Chief Operating Officer of TheDream.US said: “Through thousands of stories and statistics of TheDream.US Scholars and Alumni, we know that Dreamers excel when provided the opportunity – an opportunity made possible by tuition equity. Close to 80% of our Scholars enroll in public colleges and universities where they qualify for in-state tuition and, depending on the state, state aid. 76% of our Scholars graduate within 6 years, at higher rates than all college students nationwide thanks to an affordable education. Inclusive policies that provide opportunities for undocumented students transform lives, improve the college experience for all students, strengthen local communities and state economies, and ultimately benefit U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and our entire country.”
Dr. Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University said: “Education is both a human right and an economic driver of success for communities where great schools and colleges flourish. Tuition equity policies in the states recognize these fundamental facts by making sure that undocumented persons residing in their neighborhoods have the same access to quality higher education options that all other students enjoy. Far from discriminating against citizens, tuition equity policies actually expand economic growth for all state residents by widening workforce pipelines particularly in high demand occupations like healthcare, education and technology. While many private colleges like Trinity provide generous scholarships for undocumented students, the reality is that private higher education cannot possibly meet the demand to provide hundreds of thousands of seats for immigrant students seeking to improve their lives and contribute to their communities. Tuition equity is the fairest and most effective way to ensure the maximum impact of higher education for all students, their communities and the nation.”
Alex, a Florida student said: “I’m a Computer Science student at the University of Central Florida. I’ve spent my entire life in Florida—since I was one year old. It’s my home—it’s all I’ve ever known. In Spring 2025 I was one semester away from graduating. All my hard work was about to pay off. That same semester, the state of Florida revoked in-state tuition for Dreamers, and suddenly I found myself having to find thousands of dollars every semester for just one class. It was life changing. I had to spread out my classes, delay my graduation a whole year, and work 50+ hour weeks to pay for one class on top of living expenses. While this has been my journey, I can’t help thinking about the others—those in the same position, and those just beginning their journey. Access to education should be based on talent and effort, not on circumstances beyond a student’s control. And that is exactly why tuition equity matters.”
Additional Background
- Access a recording of the virtual event HERE
- Read the Protecting Tuition Equity Playbook, a new national resource designed to help states, coalitions and institutions defend students’ access to college. The Playbook was recently released by the Higher Education Coordinating Group, convened by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and FWD.us.
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