SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Trump administration has sued California for providing in-state college tuition, scholarships, and state-funded financial aid to students who do not have legal status to be in the United States.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleges the practice harms U.S. citizens and encourages illegal immigration. Among the defendants are the state, top state officials, and the state’s two public university systems, the University of California and California State.
President Donald Trump’s administration has filed similar lawsuits against policies in other states, including Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Texas. At present, half the country has laws akin to California’s.
In June, after the administration sued, Texas ended its longstanding law. Florida also scrapped its law that allowed in-state tuition for high school graduates without legal residency.
Supporters of the state tuition breaks argue that they don’t violate federal law if they provide the same rates to U.S. citizens in equivalent circumstances — meaning they are residents of the state and graduates of local high schools. The California Dream Act allows such students to apply for state-funded financial aid.
Many students targeted by the lawsuit were brought to the U.S. as children, and advocates argue that they contribute significantly to their communities.
This lawsuit is part of a series of actions by Trump’s administration to enforce federal immigration laws more strictly and to challenge state and local policies that appear to prioritize undocumented immigrants over U.S. citizens. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “California is illegally discriminating against American students and families by offering exclusive tuition benefits for non-citizens.”
The University of California has defended its in-state tuition policy, asserting that it aligns with current legal standards, despite the ongoing legal battles. With over 460,000 students, the California State University system is the nation’s largest and prides itself on its diversity, indicating the human aspect behind these numbers.
The suit adds more complexity to the existing tensions between state policies on immigration and federal enforcement laws, showcasing the intricate relationship between education access and immigration reform efforts.
