Impact of rescinding the Texas Dream Act on thousands of students

In the heart of Texas, the University of Texas at Austin is home to Mariel, a senior majoring in biology and Spanish with aspirations of becoming a medical doctor. However, a recent change in the state's educational policy has cast a shadow over her academic journey.

The repeal of the Texas Dream Act, a bipartisan effort established in 2001, has left Mariel and countless other students like her in a precarious position. This legislation allowed students without legal status to pay in-state tuition, making higher education more accessible.

The repeal of this act has significantly impacted Mariel's family financially. For the upcoming fall semester, they will need to come up with close to $30,000, a substantial increase from the previous costs. To cope with these increased expenses, Mariel's parents have taken out a $15,000 loan, and both have had to increase their work hours. Mireya, Mariel's mother, has taken on additional work, and Mariel's father has increased his work hours as well.

Before the repeal, the family needed to come up with $13,000 per year for room and board. Now, the financial strain is even more pronounced.

Mariel, who is in the country without legal status, fears deportation. Despite these concerns, Mireya, her mother, continues to express hope for a better future for her daughter.

"I want Mariel to achieve her dream," Mireya says, her voice filled with determination.

The repeal of the Texas Dream Act is not just a setback for individual students like Mariel, but also for the state's economy. According to the American Immigration Council, the repeal could lead to the state losing over $460 million each year.

Barbara Hines, the former director of a program at UT Austin's law school that helps immigrants in the state, echoes this sentiment. She states that the repeal affects the brightest students and our economy.

The Texas Dream Act is not the only educational policy under scrutiny. The U.S. Department of Justice has been moving beyond Texas, suing at least three other states to repeal similar laws.

For thousands of immigrant families like Mariel's, the dream of a better life in Texas has become more expensive due to the repeal of the Texas Dream Act. As Mariel adjusts her academic plan, no longer pursuing a Spanish degree and aiming to graduate with a biology degree in December, she feels a sense of guilt for making her parents pay such a significant amount for her education.

Despite the challenges, Mariel remains resilient, fuelled by her dreams of becoming a medical doctor. Mireya, too, remains hopeful, her eyes filled with determination for her daughter's future. Their story is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many immigrant families due to the repeal of the Texas Dream Act.