Oklahoma has notified roughly 400 undocumented college students that they no longer qualify for in‑state tuition rates. The change follows a recent settlement between the state and the U.S. Department of Justice, which demanded compliance with federal law prohibiting in‑state tuition for those without lawful presence.
Under the new rules, students must either present documentation of lawful presence by October 7 or pay out‑of‑state costs, typically around $15,000 per semester, or withdraw altogether. At the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, more than 30 and 40 students respectively have been affected.
Supporters of the policy change argue it restores the rule of law: for nearly three decades, federal statute has barred states from offering in‑state tuition to individuals lacking lawful immigration status. Oklahoma had previously ignored that statute, prompting the DOJ’s lawsuit and the recent settlement.
Critics warn the abrupt enforcement creates major financial and educational disruption. Some students say the two‑week window to reorganize finances or documentation is unworkable. Others see this as part of a broader rollback of higher education benefits extended to undocumented immigrants.
The move shines a spotlight on tension between federal immigration law, state policy, and access to postsecondary education. The Oklahoma case may prompt similar shifts in states that have allowed in‑state tuition for undocumented students.
