The California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition Responds to Executive Order Targeting In-State Tuition Policies

On April 28, 2025, an executive order was signed promising to “crack down” on state and local laws, such as offering postsecondary in-state tuition benefits for immigrant students. It falsely alleges that such programs prioritize undocumented individuals over American citizens and is based on an intentionally false interpretation of federal immigration law. Federal immigration law and legal precedent currently give states the power to establish in-state tuition laws. However, this order furthers inflammatory anti-immigrant sentiments in the nation and may lead to dire consequences impacting thousands of Californians and the economic prosperity of our state. This executive order is both misguided and devious. 

We call on our state and higher education leaders to stand firmly with undocumented students and continue to support their postsecondary aspirations. While many of the actions by this federal administration are mere political stunts and are not rooted in the basis of law, they cannot go unchallenged. State and higher education leaders must avoid any type of preemptive compliance and continue to affirm the right of every student to higher education, regardless of immigration status. AB 540 and the integration of undocumented students are deeply embedded in California’s values, and now more than ever, we must defend and uphold those principles.