Young, undocumented immigrants are finding it increasingly hard to attend college as South Carolina and other states restrict in-state tuition or ban them altogether

Young undocumented immigrants are facing significant barriers in accessing higher education due to state policies that limit their ability to pay in-state tuition or outright ban them from public colleges. The article examines how these restrictions affect their educational opportunities and future prospects.

1. Impact of Deportation Policies: The Trump administration's strict deportation measures have increased anxiety among the 14 million undocumented immigrants in the U. S. This heightened tension coincides with challenges in enrolling and remaining in college for many young undocumented individuals.

2. Legal Context:

• In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that immigrant students cannot be denied entry to public K-12 schools due to their immigration status. However, this protection does not extend to higher education.

• The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act made it harder for undocumented immigrants to get in-state tuition at public universities unless the same benefits were provided to out-of-state American citizens.

3. State Legislation:

• A few states initially passed laws allowing undocumented immigrants to access in-state tuition. By the early 2000s, states like Texas, California, and New York had enacted such measures. Even some conservative states, like Utah and Kansas, followed suit.

• However, in 2008, South Carolina became the first state to completely ban undocumented students from public universities, a trend that Georgia and Alabama later adopted.

4. Recent Developments:

• By 2025, the climate for undocumented students worsened. For example, Florida revoked in-state tuition for these students, and legal challenges in Texas and Oklahoma led to the termination of their in-state tuition policies.

• As of now, only 22 states and Washington D. C. allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, while many states either charge out-of-state tuition or prohibit attendance altogether.

5. Financial Implications:

• The cost difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition is substantial, with average in-state fees around $11,610 compared to $30,780 for out-of-state students. This financial burden often makes it impossible for undocumented students to pursue higher education.

• Undocumented students do not qualify for federal financial aid, exacerbating their financial struggles.

6. Educational Outcomes: Research indicates that access to in-state tuition can significantly lower dropout rates among undocumented students and increase Latino enrollment in colleges. Conversely, restrictive policies can diminish motivation among high school students, limiting their aspirations.

7. Broader Economic Impact:

• Policies that facilitate educational access for undocumented students benefit local economies. Studies suggest that states could be losing millions in potential revenue by denying educational opportunities to qualified undocumented immigrants.

• As talented individuals move to states with more favorable policies, areas that implement restrictive measures risk losing skilled future professionals.

Restrictive education policies targeting undocumented students significantly hinder their ability to attain higher education, which in turn affects their personal and community economic growth. Without affordable access to college, many talented students may postpone or abandon higher education, resulting in a less educated workforce and potential loss of economic benefits for their states. 

https://theconversation.com/young-undocumented-immigrants-are-finding-it-increasingly-hard-to-attend-college-as-south-carolina-and-other-states-restrict-in-state-tuition-or-ban-them-altogether-267597