Justice Department Sues California Over Tuition Benefits
Sacramento — The U.S. Justice Department sued California on Thursday, challenging state laws that let undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid. The complaint, filed in federal court in Sacramento, asks a judge to declare the residency exemptions unconstitutional and to bar state officials and university regents from enforcing them. The filing cites federal statutes and executive orders restricting public benefits for people unlawfully present. The department said the laws discriminate against U.S. citizens who pay higher out-of-state rates. It was the Justice Department's third lawsuit against California this week. Based on 5 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Timeline
- President Trump issued a Feb. 19 executive directive cited by DOJ, directing agencies to limit benefits to undocumented individuals.
- President Trump issued an April 28 executive directive cited by DOJ to stop enforcement of practices favoring undocumented people for some benefits.
- California enacted and maintained statutory residency exemptions allowing undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition and certain financial aid.
- The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Sacramento challenging those California provisions.
- DOJ characterized the filing as its third lawsuit against California in the same week and sought declarations and injunctions to bar enforcement.
- Articles Published:
- 4
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 3
- Distribution:
- Left 25%, Center 75%, Right 0%
If the Justice Department wins its lawsuit, federal authorities would bar California from enforcing state provisions that grant in-state tuition and related benefits to undocumented students, aligning state practice with the DOJ's interpretation of federal statutes and executive guidance.
Approximately 80,000 undocumented college students in California could lose eligibility for reduced in-state tuition and state financial assistance if a court grants the Justice Department's requested declarations and injunctions.
The Justice Department sued California in federal court, challenging state laws that grant undocumented students in-state tuition and aid, citing federal statutes and executive orders; the complaint seeks injunctions and declarations to bar enforcement and was DOJ's third lawsuit that week.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
Emphasizes California context and implications for undocumented students and frames the dispute as part of state–federal tensions, reflecting a more locally progressive perspective.
The Sacramento BeeFrom Center
Trump administration sues to block Calif. tuition breaks for migrants - UPI.com
UPI DNyuz Court House News ServiceFrom Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
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