HB2586 allows asylum seekers who are students at Oregon’s public universities or Oregon Health & Science University to pay in-state tuition rates, provided they meet certain residency-related conditions and show intent to pursue lawful status. The bill also updates state law to include asylum seekers (alongside other categories such as refugees and COFA islanders) in eligibility for tuition exemption and financial aid.
The Oregon State House of Representatives passed HB2586 on March 10, 2025 by a vote of 36 to 18. We have assigned pluses to the nays because taxpayer-funded education is not a legitimate function of government and should not be extended to those who entered the country illegally. Granting in-state tuition rates and access to public financial aid to asylum seekers undermines the rule of law, erodes the value of citizenship, and diverts scarce public resources away from citizens. Rather than adopting sanctuary-style policies that incentivize illegal migration, states should exercise their sovereign authority to uphold pro-American immigration policies. Removing access to subsidized higher education helps deter illegal migration by eliminating one of its incentives.
