Judge Grants In-State Tuition To Georgia’s DACA Students
![](https://www.wabe.org/app/uploads/2017/01/dacasupremecourtnew_101615__2_.jpg)
ELLY YU / WABE
A judge has ruled that Georgia’s University System Board of Regents must grant in-state tuition to students brought to this country illegally as children.
At issue is whether the students have what’s known as “lawful presence” in the United States. The Board of Regents argued they do not, but Fulton County Superior Court Judge Gail Tusan ruled they do and are thus entitled to pay in-state tuition.
The federal government has protected the students from deportation since 2012 through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Judge Tusan’s ruling was filed late Friday night, just a few moments before New Year’s Eve. Charles Kuck, the attorney who represents the plaintiffs, said the judge promised a ruling before the spring semester started at Georgia’s public colleges and universities.
President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for the DACA program aren’t clear, but he has taken a hard line against people who immigrate here illegally.
The Board of Regents has not yet responded to WABE’s request for comment on the ruling.
![](http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Judge+Grants+In-State+Tuition+To+Georgia%E2%80%99s+DACA+Students&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))