HB210 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Postsecondary Education, circumstances under which unlawfully present aliens are prohibited from attending further provided

Summary

HB210 keeps the ban on enrollment for aliens not lawfully present in Alabama public colleges but adds two exemption paths, requires federal status verification, and takes effect October 1, 2024.

What This Bill Does

HB210 maintains the rule that aliens not lawfully present cannot enroll in public postsecondary institutions in Alabama, but adds specific exceptions to when the prohibition applies. Public colleges and universities may verify a student’s immigration status with the federal government, but they cannot independently decide whether someone is lawfully present. Apart from these rules, aliens not lawfully present would generally be ineligible for postsecondary benefits like scholarships, grants, or financial aid. It provides two exemption pathways: (1) having attended Alabama high school for three or more years and graduated (or earned a GED or equivalent) in the state, or (2) having applied for lawful presence, and it becomes effective on October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Not lawfully present aliens: would be subject to the ban unless they meet one of the two exemption pathways (in-state high school attendance and graduation, or having applied for lawful presence).
• Public postsecondary education institutions in Alabama: must verify immigration status with the federal government and may not make their own final determination of lawful presence.
• Alabama high school graduates or students who completed in-state education for 3+ years: would qualify for one exemption pathway to enroll and access benefits.
• Applicants for lawful presence: would be exempt from the prohibition under the second exemption pathway.

Key Provisions

• General prohibition: An alien not lawfully present shall not enroll in or attend a public postsecondary education institution; institutions may seek federal verification of status under 8 U.S.C. § 1373(c) and shall not independently determine lawful presence; non-lawfully-present aliens are generally ineligible for postsecondary education benefits unless otherwise provided by law.
• Exemptions: Two pathways to exemption exist—(1) in-state high school attendance of three or more years with graduation (or GED or equivalent), and (2) having applied for lawful presence.
• Effective date: This act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education