AUSTIN, Texas (January 26, 2012)--Texas officials are tweaking the law that allows some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities to remind them they promised to seek legal status.

The tuition break for illegal immigrants was a hot-button issue that helped doom Republican Gov. Rick Perry's campaign for president.

Thursday's unanimous vote by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board won't end the tuition break or the students' ability to qualify because only the Legislature has that authority, but it will require college to be more active in pushing students toward gaining legal status by sending annual reminders and encouraging them to contact federal authorities.

Advocates for immigrants say the reminders are unnecessary and could prompt students to place themselves in jeopardy of deportation if they contact authorities without first seeking legal advice.