The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit this week against the state of Minnesota, challenging laws that provide illegal immigrants with in-state and “free” college tuition.
The state’s laws have provoked outrage as those taxpayer-funded benefits are not equally available to all U.S. citizens.
In its legal complaint, the DOJ argues that Minnesota’s law violates federal immigration statutes by offering public education benefits to individuals unlawfully in the country while discriminating against out-of-state American citizens.
The lawsuit is part of a broader crackdown led by the Trump administration following two executive orders signed earlier this year aimed at eliminating taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.
“No state can be allowed to treat Americans like second-class citizens in their own country by offering financial benefits to illegal aliens,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
“The Department of Justice just won on this exact issue in Texas, and we look forward to taking this fight to Minnesota in order to protect the rights of American citizens first.”
Under federal law, states are prohibited from offering higher education benefits to illegal immigrants unless those same benefits are made available to all U.S. citizens, regardless of residency.
The DOJ’s lawsuit seeks to block Minnesota from enforcing a state law that requires public colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition.
In some cases, the “free” tuition was offered to illegal aliens who reside in Minnesota.
The legal challenge comes just weeks after the DOJ filed a similar suit in Texas, which ultimately resulted in the state agreeing to stop enforcing the Texas Dream Act.
That 2001 law, signed by then-Governor Rick Perry, allowed certain illegal aliens who graduated from Texas high schools to qualify for in-state tuition, bypassing federal immigration status checks.
The Minnesota and Texas lawsuits follow two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office in January:
“Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” instructs federal agencies to prevent taxpayer-funded benefits from being directed to unqualified aliens.
“Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens” directs officials to take action against any state or local policy that favors non-citizens over American citizens in violation of federal law, including laws granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants but not to out-of-state Americans.
As the legal fight escalates, progressive advocacy groups have begun to intervene.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Texas Civil Rights Project, and Democracy Forward filed a motion Tuesday to defend the Texas Dream Act.
The left-wing groups are arguing that the DOJ’s position undermines educational opportunities for students.
In a press release, the ACLU said:
“As students prepare to attend school in the fall, the failure of neither the DOJ nor the attorney general to defend the Texas Dream Act threatens their ability to afford tuition, and suddenly threatens their dreams of pursuing higher education.
“By moving to intervene, these groups and individuals hope to challenge this abusive litigation strategy and defend the Texas Dream Act, which has enabled a generation of Texans to grow their careers and become leaders in our communities.”
The Minnesota case is expected to become a major legal battleground over immigration and education policy.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to prioritize enforcement of federal immigration law and protections for U.S. citizens.
READ MORE – Democrat LaMonica McIver Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges for Assaulting ICE
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