Georgia public high schools pursuing an affordable option for higher education,” Tusan wrote in her decision, which was issued Friday. “Such refusal of a faithful performance of their duties is unreasonable and creates a defect of legal justice that has already negatively impacted thousands of Georgia students.”

Plaintiff Josafat Santillan was granted deferred action after coming here from Mexico and overstaying his tourist visa. Hoping to one day start a career in the real estate assessment industry, the Stone Mountain resident is studying geography part-time at Kennesaw State University. He is now working full-time at a steel processing plant to help pay for his education. Santillan said he could go to school full-time and finish his degree faster now that he may pay the lower in-state tuition rates.

“We knew if we could get the case through all the obstacles that the court would find in our favor,” he said of the court’s ruling. “It’s been a long time coming.”

The state Attorney General’s office, which sought to have the case dismissed, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday about whether it would appeal. The Board of Regents also had no immediate comment.