DOJ Sues California Over In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
The Trump administration's Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against California, challenging the state's laws that grant in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented immigrants, citing unconstitutionality.
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Overview
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a lawsuit against the state of California regarding its policies on in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants.
- The Trump administration's legal challenge specifically targets California's Dream Act and Assembly Bill 540, which provide state-funded financial aid and in-state tuition rates.
- The lawsuit alleges that California's laws, granting these benefits to immigrants residing in the U.S. illegally, are unconstitutional and violate federal statutes.
- California officials have strongly defended their in-state tuition policy, asserting its legality and suggesting the federal lawsuit is politically motivated.
- The University of California system has also publicly supported its current in-state tuition policy, which is now facing legal scrutiny from the federal government.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally by presenting the Trump administration's lawsuit against California's in-state tuition policy alongside arguments from its supporters. They avoid loaded language, attribute strong claims to specific sources, and provide balanced context regarding similar legal actions and the universities' positions, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"The lawsuit alleges the practice harms U.S. citizens and encourages illegal immigration."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
The DOJ argues that California's laws granting in-state tuition and state-funded financial aid to undocumented immigrants violate federal statutes and are unconstitutional because they extend benefits to individuals residing in the U.S. illegally.
Students must have attended a California high school for at least three years, graduated from a California high school or obtained the equivalent (GED or CHSPE), registered and enrolled in a qualifying California college or university, filed an affidavit to legalize immigration status when eligible, and not hold a valid non-immigrant visa.
The California Dream Act allows eligible undocumented students who meet AB 540 criteria to receive state-administered financial aid such as fee waivers, grants, scholarships, Cal Grants, and California College Promise Grants, thus increasing their access to higher education funding.
California officials have strongly defended the state's in-state tuition policy, asserting that it is legal and accusing the federal lawsuit of being politically motivated.
All public colleges and universities in California are affected, including the California Community Colleges (CCC), California State University (CSU) system, and the University of California (UC) system.
History
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