By NICK PIPITONE, The Monitor - 2010-02-05

EDINBURG — For Carmen, as for many people, a college degree represents an opportunity for a better future. But her future is far more difficult to ascertain than it is for most U.S. college students.

She is one of several thousand undocumented immigrants attending Texas universities and colleges, according to the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas (IRCOT).

Texas is one of 11 states that allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates and receive state grants. IRCOT challenged that law in December, arguing that the state overstepped its authority and violated federal law.

The case was moved from state district court in Harris County to federal court on Jan. 19. It could decide the fate of Carmen and at least another 8,000 undocumented immigrants who are receiving in-state tuition and scholarships in Texas, according to the coalition.

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