Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on Decision to End In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students In Texas

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement in response to Texas's decision to side with the Justice Department and end in-state tuition for undocumented students:

“For nearly a quarter century, Texas has offered in-state tuition to undocumented students because we knew they were Texans and American in every way but on paper. They grew up here, went to our schools, built careers, paid taxes, and asked for nothing more than a fair shot at college.

“This wasn’t charity. It was common sense. Governor Perry signed it into law with solid Republican support. Now Ken Paxton and his boss, Greg Abbott, have torn that down, in spite of the will of the voters, all to callously advance Donald Trump’s inhumane assault on immigrant communities.

“More than 20,000 students will be hurt by this reckless, unnecessary decision. Once again, Paxton is using young people as pawns to fuel his own ambitions and expand his power.

“This attack on undocumented students is cruel, cowardly, and un-American. More than that, it goes against our values as Texans. Standing by your neighbors. Believing in opportunity. Investing in people who invest in this state.

"Nothing Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, Pam Bondi, or Donald Trump do to further vilify these students will ever take away all they have contributed to our state or the truth that America is their home.”

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