Trump Administration’s Lawsuits Challenge State Tuition Laws for Illegal Immigrants

The Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, announced plans to file lawsuits against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. The department argues these states offer in-state tuition and financial incentives to illegal immigrants, allegedly discriminating against U.S. citizens who don’t receive the same benefits, and thus incentivize illegal immigration.

According to the Justice Department’s statement, the aim is to halt these laws which provide assistance to illegal immigrants or offer tuition benefits to any immigrants living in-state, regardless of their legal status. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate emphasized that colleges should not offer benefits to illegal aliens that U.S. citizens do not receive, stating, “This Department of Justice will not tolerate American students being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”

The Department remains confident owing to previous legal successes in states like Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Illinois. These cases concluded similarly, with courts declaring such laws unconstitutional. For instance, a federal judge recently ruled against Illinois’ in-state tuition policies per the RISE Act and Illinois DREAM Act.

Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong voiced opposition against the lawsuit, asserting that decisions about state education remain with state authorities. Tong expressed his readiness to defend these laws passed in 2011, emphasizing the importance of providing educational opportunities to all students.

In total, 17 lawsuits challenge states’ tuition laws. Other states involved include Minnesota, Virginia, California, New Jersey, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Colorado. Legal proceedings continue as responses from New York and Vermont are awaited.

Reporter Information: Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @lmkornick.