The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against Massachusetts and Rhode Island, challenging state laws that allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates and certain forms of financial aid at public colleges and universities.
Federal officials argue that the policies conflict with federal law by providing benefits to undocumented immigrants that are not equally available to all U.S. citizens, particularly those who live outside the states.
The lawsuits form part of a broader legal campaign by the Trump administration targeting state immigration-related education policies.
Justice Department Says Laws Conflict With Federal Statutes
According to the complaints, the federal government is seeking court orders that would block both states from enforcing laws granting reduced tuition rates based solely on state residency, regardless of an individual’s immigration status.
The Justice Department is also asking the courts to halt the distribution of state-funded scholarships and financial assistance to undocumented students under the challenged laws.
Federal officials contend that such policies create incentives for unlawful immigration while placing American citizens at a disadvantage.
Officials Defend the Administration’s Position
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said the lawsuits reflect the administration’s commitment to ensuring that taxpayer-funded benefits are reserved for U.S. citizens and others who are legally eligible.
He said the Justice Department will continue challenging state policies that it believes prioritize undocumented immigrants over American citizens in violation of congressional mandates.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, who leads the Civil Division, argued that colleges should not extend educational benefits to undocumented students unless the same benefits are equally available to U.S. citizens.
Latest Cases Continue Nationwide Legal Effort
The lawsuits against Massachusetts and Rhode Island represent the third and fourth actions filed within the past week as part of the Justice Department’s campaign against state tuition policies.
With the latest filings, the department has now initiated 12 lawsuits challenging similar laws across multiple states.
The administration has made the issue a key component of its broader immigration enforcement agenda.
Previous Court Victories Cited
Justice Department officials pointed to several earlier legal successes involving comparable state laws.
According to the department, federal courts have already issued permanent injunctions against similar tuition policies in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Nebraska, declaring those laws unconstitutional.
Those rulings have strengthened the administration’s position as it continues pursuing additional cases nationwide.
More States Face Ongoing Litigation
Beyond Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Justice Department continues to challenge comparable laws in several other states.
Active lawsuits remain pending in Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia, California, New Jersey and Kansas, where federal officials are seeking similar court rulings to invalidate policies providing in-state tuition or related educational benefits to undocumented students.
The outcomes of those cases could further shape the legal landscape surrounding state-funded higher education benefits and the relationship between federal immigration law and state education policies.
