Contact: [email protected]
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 2:00 PM ET
RSVP to [email protected] for details to join
Virtual Event: Legal, Policy, and Advocacy Leaders to Discuss How States and Campuses Can Support Dreamers’ Access to In-State Tuition
MALDEF, TheDream.US, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and Trinity Washington President Dr. Patricia McGuire outline coordinated response to federal efforts threatening tuition equity
[WASHINGTON, DC] — On Wednesday, February 11, at 2:00 PM ET, join leaders from MALDEF, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and TheDream.US and a college leader and Dreamer scholar on a virtual press event discussing recent challenges to in-state tuition for undocumented students and how states and higher education institutions can support Dreamers’ access to higher education.
Over the past year, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against seven state policies allowing eligible undocumented students to pay in-state 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. This virtual event will include both a discussion of the legal and policy landscape of in-state tuition policies, as well as a detailed overview of the Protecting Tuition Equity Playbook, a new national resource designed to help other state coalitions and institutions defend students’ access to affordable college. Speakers will discuss what’s at stake for students and campuses and reflect on how higher education leaders are mobilizing to protect Dreamers’ ability to enroll, persist, and graduate.
WHAT: Virtual Press Event on Protecting Tuition Equity and Supporting Dreamer Students
WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, at 2:00 PM Eastern
WHERE: Virtual (details provided upon RSVP)
WHO:
- Monica Andrade, Director of State Policy and Legal Strategy, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration
- Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
- Dr. Hyein Lee, Chief Operating Officer, TheDream.US
- Dr. Patricia McGuire, President, Trinity Washington University
- Alex, Florida Student
HOW:
Media interested in joining should RSVP to [email protected]
Additional Background
As of February 1, seven states have faced legal challenges to policies allowing eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates. In response, the Higher Education Coordinating Group convened by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and FWD.us developed the Protecting Tuition Equity Playbook, a new national resource designed to help states, coalitions and institutions defend students’ access to college.
The playbook affirms the legality of tuition equity policies and outlines practical steps institutions and state coalitions can take now to prepare for a challenge.
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