The American Council of Immigration does not approve or oppose candidates for elected offices. We aim to provide an analysis of the impact of elections on the US immigration system.
Texas leaders cannot legislate immigration policies from a place of political stance and deep misunderstanding. Before drafting new laws, or reverting long-standing laws, they need to first understand the basics of how our immigration system works and who will affect them.
On June 4, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to override the Texas Dream Act, a bipartisan law that allowed certain undocumented students to pay tuition fees within the state since 2001.
By the end of the day, Texas had entered into a joint move with the DOJ, and the federal court issued a permanent injunction. Gov. Governor Greg Abbott proudly declared the end of in-state lessons for undocumented students, and the Attorney General called it a victory. But Texas won nothing. State leaders invited federal intervention, ignored the will of the Texas legislature and handed over Washington’s control of how Texas runs public universities. The message to hardworking students and families was clear. Your efforts aren’t important.
Let’s be clear. This was not a battle. It was surrender.
Instead of supporting a policy that has benefited Texas for more than 20 years, Texas has left. It’s not just abandoning the law. It abandoned the future of a student, value, and a competitive economy.
These students are not criminals. They are the best and brightest Texas has to offer. Many were brought here as children and they grew up in our schools and communities. The Texas Dream Act does not give them a free ride. You must support an affidavit signed with the intention of legalizing their status when you graduate from Texas High School. These are the young people we should invest in, and we are not excluded.
This was not an isolated incident. Often, lawmakers say, “Why aren’t they lined up?” or “Why aren’t they coming in the right way?” as if these options exist. They don’t. These myths burn bad policies and fear-driven rhetoric.
And they will be victimized. On June 4th, Texas paid that price. The Attorney General, typically eager to challenge federal authorities, has surrendered to the DOJ and abandoned the state-led policies he should defend.
9% of Texas’ workforce is undocumented. Over 11% of state US citizen children have at least one undocumented parent. In Houston, undocumented workers make up almost a third of the construction workforce. When hurricane season begins, these are the people who will rebuild our community. They deserve respect, not scapegoating.
Of all states, Texas should lead this issue. Our leaders should be on the forefront. It rejects anti-immigrant ratios, recognizes the need for reform in the immigration system, and is working on real solutions based on the actual. When immigration debate is driven by rhetoric rather than reality, it is not just undocumented people who have been harmed. It’s all immigrants and ultimately all Texans.
Misunderstanding the system and misrepresenting people
Texas legislators show a troubling pattern. Many people not only have a clear understanding of the immigration system, but they also underestimate the harm caused by policies.
During the 2025 House debate over Senate Bill 17, surprising misconceptions of the immigration category became apparent. The bill, which was intended to limit land purchases by hostile foreign governments, was written so widely that it could legally affect people in the United States, including international students, engineers and researchers.
When this concern was raised, the bill’s authors argued that the visa holders are legitimate permanent residents and are not affected. He doubled the claims before and after another lawmaker, lawyer, and immigrants themselves who tried to explain the difference. It was an incredible moment when lawmakers revealed they had little understanding of the legal categories they are legislating.
Visa holders and legal permanent residents are not the same. While legal permanent residents can have permanent status and ultimately apply for citizenship, visa holders are temporarily here and often do not have a guaranteed stay pass.
Confusing the two is not a small mistake, and it is unacceptable that lawmakers will be put into the legislative process so far. That leads to a wide range of policies that harm the very people Texas relies on. As written, SB 17 can have great consequences for Texas, threatening legal residents based on vague and overly broad standards.
When lawmakers don’t understand that they’re legislating, Texans lose.
Get away from guidance
Just a few weeks ago, the Texas Dream Act survived the legislative meeting, led by lawmakers. Business leaders, educators and advocates argued that the policy worked and that legislators listened.
Now, without a single vote, that victory was revoked by the very officials who were sworn in to support the law.
Texas wasn’t just retreating. In a move that opposed to its independent spirit, it invited the federal government to take the reins.
Instead, if our leader took clues from President George W. Bush, whom we once said, wouldn’t it be exhilarating?
“America can be a legitimate and welcoming society. We hope we do so with a merciful spirit as our country discusses appropriate course of action on immigration reform.
If our leaders continue to pander and fear for short-term political benefits and fundamentally misunderstand the issue, there is no path to common sense immigration policy. We need lawmakers willing to follow President Bush’s lead. It’s about getting closer to immigrants with mercy, actually listening to experts, and legislating with truth. I’m not ignorant.
Submitted below: Texas
