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. Half the country now has similar laws to California’s.
In June, after the administration sued, Texas ended its decades-old law. And Florida last year scrapped its law that allowed in-state tuition for high school graduates who weren’t in the country legally.
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 the same circumstances. The California Dream Act allows such students to apply for state-funded financial aid.
Many of the students affected were brought to the U.S. by their parents when they were children, and supporters assert they are integral members of their communities.
California Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “California is illegally discriminating against American students and families by offering exclusive tuition benefits for non-citizens.” This lawsuit is the latest of many challenging California's immigration-related policies.
The University of California has defended its tuition policy, asserting it aligns with legal standards. The ongoing legal battles follow the California Supreme Court's decisions regarding student employment and federal funding issues, pushing the University to navigate complex negotiations with the Trump administration.
