Cole Hefner, said the legislation would make Texas and the nation safer because "adversarial nations," as identified by the U.S. national intelligence director — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — could not become Texas landowners.

Although it's not the worst bill to come out of Texas, advocates warn that the bill's vagueness leave it ripe for misuse.

Texas was the first state to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2001, and 23 states currently have similar policies.