HOUSTON — Texas has officially ended its decades-old policy allowing undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. The move follows a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice, which argued the policy discriminated against U.S. citizens by offering lower tuition rates to non-citizens.

Since its enactment in 2001, the law enabled undocumented students who met specific residency requirements to pay the same tuition as Texas residents—significantly less than out-of-state fees. Now, these students face paying more than double the tuition and fees, putting higher education out of reach for many.

Cesar Espinosa, executive director of immigrant rights group FIEL, estimates the change affects roughly 1.5 percent of Texas’ student population, o

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