KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsPressure is on for undocumented Texas students

Pressure is on for undocumented Texas students

Amarillo, Texas - Texas is tweaking the tuition law for illegal college students. 

When illegal students enroll in any state school, they have to sign an affidavit saying in exchange for in-state tuition, they promise to become a legal citizen. 

Thanks to a unanimous vote by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, colleges now are required to remind students of that promise.

They will be required to send them letters, reminding them to become a citizen, and to contact federal authorities.

Opponents say it's one step closer to getting rid of in-state tuition for illegals all together, but lawmakers say it's just about the students keeping up their end of the bargain.

State Senator Kel Seliger says, "The State of Texas meets it's part of the arrangement and so must the student. They're in college. They're adults now. It's part of their obligation. It's an agreement the students have signed. It's like when they sign to pay their college loans."

Unlike failing to repay loans, though, there aren't any true consequences for students not becoming citizens.

The state is just strongly encouraging them to do it because it's the right thing to do.