AUSTIN, Texas — Recent developments regarding the ‘Texas Dream Act’ have left many undocumented students feeling anxious about their futures.
The law, which had been in effect for over 20 years, allowed undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition if they met specific residency requirements.
However, the U.S. Department of Justice has declared it unconstitutional, prompting the law’s repeal.
In response, Austin Community College (ACC) has announced its intention to join a legal battle seeking clarity on the constitutionality of the law.
ACC’s Board of Trustees made the decision to file a motion, which, as of Tuesday, has yet to be submitted.
Vice Chair Manny Gonzalez expressed his discontent with the repeal, criticizing it as ‘short-sighted’ and politically motivated.
He emphasized the significance of approximately 500 ACC students who would be impacted by this change, underscoring the necessity for legal clarity in the situation.
‘These students are critical for not just our community, but the workforce needs all across the state,’ Gonzalez stated.
He further mentioned that while ACC navigates the upcoming legal challenges, the college’s advising and financial aid teams will continue to support students to ensure they comply with any new requirements.
The reactions from students and advocates reflect a deep sense of fear and uncertainty.
Vanessa Trujano, the vice president for ACC’s student government, shared that Dream Act beneficiaries are apprehensive about attending classes.
‘I just want them to know that we, as students, are here for them as well, to represent them and help keep them safe,’ Trujano explained.
Trujano, an immigrant from Nicaragua who became a U.S. citizen at the age of 15, feels hopeful about ACC’s proactive approach towards this issue.
Garibay, who faced rejection from college due to her undocumented status in the ’90s, has a personal connection to the implications of the Dream Act.
With aspirations to attend the University of Texas in Austin, she managed to secure an associate’s degree from Dallas Community College before the Dream Act was enacted in 2001.
The law, she claimed, was life-changing.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in 2005 and her master’s in 2008, she ultimately gained U.S. citizenship in 2018.
Garibay articulated her concern regarding the halting of the Dream Act, recalling her own experience as an undocumented student.
‘It was thanks to this law that completely changed my life,’ she stressed.
Despite understanding the political landscape, Garibay conveyed her frustration, stating, ‘It doesn’t take away the anger and frustration, being formerly undocumented, knowing what it’s like to feel like,
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