Trump administration sues four more states over in-state tuition for undocumented students
Four additional states - Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington - have been added to the list of jurisdictions sued by the Trump administration for allowing undocumented students to qualify for resident tuition rates.
The Trump administration has expanded its legal challenge to include Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, joining 17 other states already sued for permitting undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. Under the contested policies, eligibility hinges on factors like high-school graduation within the state and a commitment to seek permanent residency. Officials such as Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes denounced the lawsuits as federal intrusion into state matters.
The Justice Department, represented by Associate Deputy Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr., contends the states breach a 1996 federal statute that bars preferential tuition for non-citizens. Courts have issued varied rulings across the country, with some states abandoning their programs after adverse decisions. Advocacy groups like United We Dream argue the suits aim to keep immigrant students in low-pay jobs, while the states maintain their rules are based on schooling, not residence.
Why it matters
The case could reshape tuition policies for undocumented students, affecting college affordability for millions.
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