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HB 160

Relating to the enrollment, including resident status and tuition rates, of certain persons, including persons not authorized to be present in the United States, in public institutions of higher education.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Keith Bell and 10 co-sponsors

HB 160 modifies tuition and enrollment policies for undocumented immigrants at Texas public universities, potentially restricting resident status and in-state tuition access.

Referred to Higher Education
#aliens(i0032) #education--higher--general(i0231) #education--higher--tuition(i0233) #lawenforcement(i0510) #residencyrequirements(s0266)
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Bill Summary · HB 160

Legislative bill overview

HB 160 addresses enrollment policies at Texas public universities regarding tuition rates and resident status for individuals, including those without legal authorization to be in the United States. The bill appears to modify existing rules governing who qualifies for in-state tuition and how undocumented individuals are classified for enrollment purposes at higher education institutions.

Why is this important

Texas currently allows some undocumented immigrants who meet certain residency requirements to attend public universities, though federal law prohibits them from receiving federal financial aid. This bill could significantly affect access to affordable higher education for approximately 1.3 million undocumented immigrants in Texas and alter institutional enrollment practices across the state's university system.

Potential points of contention

  • Whether undocumented immigrants should have access to in-state tuition rates versus out-of-state rates, affecting affordability and enrollment decisions
  • Compliance with federal immigration law and potential conflicts with existing Texas Education Code provisions that currently allow certain undocumented students to qualify for resident tuition
  • Resource allocation questions: whether restricting access helps Texas citizens or creates barriers to workforce development in fields with labor shortages

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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