TRUMP DOJ Sues New York, Connecticut, and Vermont for Giving Illegal Aliens In-State Tuition and Financial Aid While Americans Pay More

The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, challenging state laws that provide illegal aliens with in-state tuition rates and financial aid. The DOJ alleges these programs violate federal law by prioritizing non-citizens over American citizens, forcing them to compete for educational benefits. This action is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to prevent states from offering these benefits to undocumented immigrants.

• The Justice Department has filed 17 lawsuits challenging state tuition benefits for illegal aliens.
• New lawsuits have been filed against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont.
• The DOJ claims these state laws violate federal law by providing benefits to illegal aliens that are not equally available to U.S. citizens.
• The department argues these policies encourage illegal immigration and disadvantage American students.
• Federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1623) generally prohibits states from awarding residence-based higher-education benefits to non-lawfully present aliens unless available to U.S. citizens regardless of their state of residence.
• Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated that states cannot put illegal aliens over U.S. citizens.
• Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate emphasized that American students should not be treated as second-class citizens.
• The DOJ seeks to block these state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Previous favorable orders have been obtained in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Illinois.
• A recent Illinois court ruling struck down provisions granting illegal aliens access to in-state tuition and financial aid, stating federal law prohibits treating American citizens worse than illegal aliens in such cases.