2026 Arizona gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson (R) seems to have recently changed her position on college tuition for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, AKA "Dreamers," claiming to have never supported free tuition.
In the 2022 gubernatorial primary, Robson expressed support for Proposition 308, which allows Dreamers and other non-citizens living in Arizona to receive state financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and tuition/fee programs under certain conditions, but this should not be considered "free" tuition.
"As a business leader and Republican, I will be voting yes on Prop. 308," Robson said in a TV ad during the campaign, adding, "It will improve Arizona's economy by keeping skilled workers here in Arizona, kids we've already invested in for years, with zero tax increase."
However, during a recent meeting between Arizona Republicans earlier in August, Robson declared that she "never supported free tuition for illegal aliens."
Moreover, she further expressed support for President Donald Trump's April executive order that directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to sue colleges and universities that offer lower tuition rates to non-legal residents than out-of-state students.
"Karrin stands with President Trump and his Department of Education and opposes free tuition," said Robson's press aide Jeff Glassburner.
In a July interview with Cactus Politics, Robson expressed similar support for Trump's hardline border policies, saying, "President Trump has done a phenomenal job if you're watching the numbers at all."
"Just in May, a year ago, there were 64,000 crossings on the illegal crossings on our southern border," Robson continued, adding, "In May of this year, there was zero. President Trump did that without a new law, without being told to do it. He did what he told the American public that he would do."
Additionally, the Republican candidate vowed to "work with President Trump, not against President Trump to make sure those borders stay secure, and that we can stop the flow of illegal smuggling of people and drugs."
