Editorial board makes the case that Dreamers’ access to affordable higher education benefits students, states, and the country
For Immediate Release: September 22, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Washington, DC – In a new editorial, The Washington Post examines the push from the U.S. Department of Justice to end in-state tuition access for Dreamers and highlights why these policies strengthen the futures of both Dreamers and the nation. The editorial comes after the Department of Justice recently filed its latest lawsuits against tuition equity policies in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Utah, bringing the total number of challenges to 25.
Read the full Washington Post editorial HERE, with key excerpts below:
“This is part of a broader campaign against “dreamers,” the young immigrants who were brought into the United States illegally as children. Many remember no other country as home. College degrees are particularly important for this cohort: They can lead to jobs at businesses willing to sponsor the necessary paperwork for them to come out of the shadows.”
“Taking away in-state tuition rates, however, risks crushing that dream by making higher education unaffordable.”
“Why shouldn’t young dreamers who attended high school in a state, and whose families paid state taxes, have the same access to higher education as their peers?”
“Not long ago, many Republicans regarded these policies as a win-win, enabling these young adults to put down roots and contribute to the economy. Ending the policies is America’s loss.”
Gaby Pacheco, President and CEO of TheDream.US, said:
“The coordinated attack against Dreamers’ educational opportunities, stability, and safety threatens to harm not only the affected students, but the entire nation. Dreamers are already part of the American story. They grew up here, graduated from our schools, earned degrees, and are building careers across the industries and communities our country depends on. For many, in-state tuition is what puts a college education within reach. And when Dreamers have the opportunity to turn that education into a career, the impact reaches far beyond one student or one campus.”
About TheDream.US
TheDream.US is the nation’s leading organization supporting Dreamers at the intersection of higher education, workforce development, immigration, and advocacy. We’ve awarded over 13,000 scholarships to immigrant youth from 120+ countries and 45 states, with more than 5,000 graduates to date. We partner with close to 80 colleges in 19 states and Washington D.C. to provide scholarships, career support, and access to legal options that help Dreamers break through systemic barriers and achieve social mobility.
Through data, Scholar and Alumni stories, strategic partnerships, and targeted state and local advocacy, we work to expand equitable access to college, professional pathways, and permanent legal status. For more information on TheDream.US, visit www.thedream.us
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