‘It’s a Constant Sacrifice’: DACA Struggle With Loss of In-State Tuition

By Erika González and Noemi Castanon

Photography By Erika González

Reporting Texas

 

Elizabeth Mazariegos flips through her folder full of school reports, letters of recommendation and college documents, feeling worried.

“I never thought I could get this far, and now I feel all my effort is disappearing overnight. It’s like everything I achieved is not enough,” said Mazariegos, a 31-year-old Guatemalan who has lived in the United States for two decades.

For years, the U.S. policy of Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, protected immigrants who came here as children and allowed Mazariegos to study, work and plan a stable future. Now, that path has become more uncertain as both the state and federal governments clamp down on immigrants.

On June 5,  Texas repealed the Texas Dream Act, a law that since 2001 had allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates and to have access scholarships and loans. Many DACA students say their universities have told them their status is changing from DACA recipients to international students. Mazariegos is going through the pain of a generation of students fighting for their education and for hope

For Mazariegos, classes at Collin College’s Plano campus in North Texas, where she studies commercial photography and a medical assistant certificate, now cost three times more.

“Before, I paid $180 to $190 per class. Now it’s almost $700,” Mazariegos said. “I don’t know how I will pay, and I worry I won’t finish what I started.”

It’s Not Just Learning, It’s Surviving

Mazariegos came to the United States from Guatemala at 11. She remembers her first year here as a culture shock. Bullying, language barriers and family separation made every day a struggle. But her math skills and discipline helped her stand out academically.

In high school, she dreamed of becoming a nurse, inspired by her desire to help others and make her parents proud. DACA protections enacted under President Barack Obama in 2012 allowed her to work legally, pay for classes and support her family while studying. Rising tuition and cuts to support programs led her to switch to commercial photography and a medical assistant certificate, while also running her own cleaning business.

“I feel like I’m fighting for something that should be normal for any student. It’s not just learning; it’s surviving while studying,” Mazariegos said.

Support From ROOTED

Mazariegos is not alone.

Fernanda, who asked to be identified only by her middle name because of fears of being targeted due to her immigration status, is a member of ROOTED, a student-led initiative at the University of Texas at Austin that provides support, resources, research and advocacy for immigrant and undocumented students. She said young people face many financial and legal barriers — and that’s worse for immigrant students.

“Many students cannot afford college, and financial aid is very small compared to high tuition costs. Even with DACA, not everyone gets scholarships, and that makes continuing school very hard,” Fernanda said.

Fernanda said the organization has raised more than $13,000 through GoFundMe to provide financial help, legal advice and educational resources. While the help doesn’t cover all tuition, it allows students to keep going.

“Even a small subsidy can make the difference between leaving college and continuing,” Fernanda said.

“Many of us cannot get formal jobs because of our immigration status,” she said. “So students who get help from ROOTED can at least cover part of their studies and move forward.”

Rising Tuition Sacrifices

Mazariegos is now in her third year at Collin College, and every class is a financial challenge.

“I don’t know how I will manage without help,” Mazariegos said.

Her classmate, Luis Garza, another DACA recipient, faces a similar situation.

“My family cannot help me, and working more hours means I study less,” Garza said. “It’s a constant sacrifice.”

The Texas Dream Act repeal affects hundreds of students in Texas, who now pay tuition rates similar to international students and also lost state scholarships and support programs.

Jennifer Najera, associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, said losing these programs makes finishing college difficult.

“Financial aid is crucial for a student to finish school,” Najera said. “Without scholarships or support programs, many see it as impossible to continue.”

Mazariegos said that even with a 4.0 GPA in high school, she never got scholarships to ease college costs. She said she paid for everything, working extra hours and managing her cleaning business.

“It was exhausting, but I knew I couldn’t give up,” Mazariegos said. “Every dollar I earn, I put into my education.”

Legal and University Uncertainty

Megan Sheffield, an immigration lawyer in Austin, said some universities are strictly interpreting the rules for in-state tuition, even for DACA students who are considered to have a “legal presence” in the country by the Department of Homeland Security despite lacking permanent legal status.

“If the ‘lawful presence’ part of DACA is removed, it could seriously affect eligibility for in-state tuition,” Sheffield said.

Currently, students without legal presence cannot get in-state tuition.  Fernanda said ROOTED has received many calls from students worried about these changes.

Balancing Studies and Work

Mazariegos divides her time between classes, internships  and her cleaning business. She starts at 6 a.m., serves clients, goes to photography and medical assistant classes, then studies and works on projects.

“It’s tiring, but I can’t stop trying,” Mazariegos said. “If I don’t do it now, it will be harder later.”

Najera said many students in similar situations use the same strategies.

“Some work endless hours in services or their own businesses because, without legal work permits, options are limited,” Najera said. “This causes stress, anxiety  and affects mental health.”

Economic and Social Impact

Repealing the Dream Act could cost Texas more than $461 million a year in lost economic activity and talent, according to the HigherEd Immigration Portal. Undocumented students generate $46.4 million more in economic activity, contributing to key sectors: education (25%), business (23%), science and technology (17%), and health (14%).

“Removing in-state tuition and scholarships directly affects the state’s economy and these young people’s ability to contribute. It’s not just numbers, it’s lives and broken dreams,” Najera said.

These barriers affect daily life, “Before DACA, I could work and study without depending on my parents,” Mazariegos said. “Now I feel the doors I opened with so much effort are closing.”

Living Between Policies and Possibilities

Mazariegos renewed her DACA a year ago but is still waiting for confirmation, living in constant uncertainty that affects every academic and work decision.

The Renewal of DACA in Texas involves filing Forms I-821D and I-765 with USCIS, ideally 120-150 days before expiration, either online via a USCIS account or by mail, paying fees, and potentially attending a biometrics appointment, all while proving continuous U.S. residency and meeting criminal/national security criteria. The wait time for renewal approval is different for each case.

“At first I was scared, I cried a lot. I don’t know if I can stay, or if I will have to start over in another state. But I can’t give up now. Not after everything I’ve achieved,” Mazariegos said.

She keeps looking for alternatives: online courses, external scholarships, and expanding her cleaning business. Every decision balances chasing her dreams and covering basic needs.

“Every time I pay for a class, I feel a small victory. But I know the next semester will be as hard or harder. Sometimes I ask myself if it’s worth it, but then I remember why I started,” she said.

“It won’t be easy, but as long as I keep moving forward, there’s still hope,” Mazariegos said. “I will finish my education and reach my goals, step by step.”