NEW YORK (WBNG) — The Department of Justice filed lawsuits against three states on Monday, challenging state laws that provide immigrants lacking permanent legal status living in those states with in-state tuition regardless of their citizenship status.
The Department filed complaints against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont on Monday, Aug. 10, challenging state laws that provide in-state tuition and financial assistance for migrants, according to the DOJ.
The DOJ said these laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens who are not afforded the same benefits these individuals receive, which conflicts with federal law.
“As of today, we have now sued every state in the Second Circuit that seeks to thwart Congress’s clear prohibition by placing alien over citizen,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said.
The complaints state that the U.S. seeks to enjoin enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies in the three states that require colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates to all migrants who maintain in-state residency, regardless of that person being lawfully in the country.
These lawsuits mark 17 lawsuits challenging in-state tuition for immigrants lacking permanent legal status.
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