Trump lands another key victory that Democrats hate.
In a major legal victory for American taxpayers and border security advocates, a federal judge has struck down a controversial Texas law that allowed illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public universities—thanks to a challenge backed by the Trump administration.
Trump-Backed Lawsuit Restores Rule of Law
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled that the Texas law—which had been on the books for over 20 years—violated federal immigration law and the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. As a result, the judge permanently blocked the state from continuing the program.
“This unconstitutional policy ends today,” declared O’Connor, a George W. Bush appointee, in his official order.
The ruling came after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion agreeing with the Trump administration’s argument that the law directly conflicted with federal policy.
Texas Governor Celebrates the Ruling
Following the decision, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared on X:
“In-state tuition for illegal immigrants in Texas has ended.”
Attorney General Paxton added:
“This is a huge win for Texas taxpayers. Ending this unfair and un-American policy sends a clear message: illegal immigration will not be rewarded.”
Trump’s Executive Orders Cited in Lawsuit
The lawsuit cited two executive orders signed by President Trump:
- “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders”
- “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens”
The Trump administration made clear: U.S. citizens from other states were being forced to pay higher tuition rates than illegal aliens residing in Texas. The lawsuit called this not just illegal, but morally outrageous.
“There are no exceptions in federal law. Yet Texas ignored the rules for years. That ends now,” the filing stated.
Huge Cost Difference for Taxpayers
Here’s how dramatic the tuition gap was:
- Out-of-state U.S. citizens at the University of Texas paid up to $48,712/year
- Illegal immigrants paid as little as $10,858/year
That’s a $38,000 taxpayer-subsidized discount—given to non-citizens.
The original law, passed in 2001 under then-Governor Rick Perry, allowed illegal immigrants to qualify if they lived in Texas for three years and promised to apply for legal status.
Despite multiple Republican-led repeal attempts over the years, the law remained in place—until now.
Attorney General Pam Bondi: “Citizens Come First”
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime ally of President Trump, praised the move:
“Federal law is clear: schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they don’t also give to American citizens.”
She added:
“The Justice Department will continue fighting to make sure Americans are never treated as second-class citizens in their own country.”
Why This Matters for Every American
- Your tax dollars will no longer fund college discounts for those in the U.S. illegally
- Federal immigration law is being respected and enforced again
- The Trump administration’s America First agenda continues to deliver for working families and seniors