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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Senate subcommittee has pushed back for a week debate on scraping a law that grants in-state public university tuition to the children of some people in the United States illegally.

Texas Democrats and Hispanic advocacy groups champion the law, while top Republicans have pledged to repeal it.

The two sides were to begin their clash Monday, but a border security hearing was delayed until April 7.

The in-state tuition law sailed through the Legislature in 2001 and received Republican Gov. Rick Perry's signature. But many Texas GOP leaders were recently elected on promises to get tough on immigration.

Despite vocal opposition, the repeal should eventually clear committee and eventually receive full Senate approval.

Its chances in the House get murkier, though, and debate there could be fiercer.

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