The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota over its policy granting in-state tuition and college aid to undocumented students.
The suit, filed Wednesday, targets Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. It argues that Minnesota’s policy violates federal immigration law and unfairly discriminates against U.S. citizens by extending state-funded tuition benefits to undocumented residents.
At the center of the lawsuit is the Minnesota Dream Act, passed in 2013. The law allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition if they meet specific criteria — including attending a Minnesota high school for at least three years and graduating.
The Justice Department is also challenging Minnesota’s North Star Promise Program, which was launched last year and offers free tuition at state colleges for eligible low-income students, including undocumented individuals who live in the state.
Part of a broader crackdown
This legal challenge follows a similar DOJ victory in Texas, where state officials repealed a two-decade-old law offering in-state tuition to undocumented students after a successful federal lawsuit. The DOJ also filed suit against Kentucky lawmakers last week for a comparable policy.
All three lawsuits cite a May executive order from President Donald Trump that mandates tougher enforcement against states and cities providing public benefits to undocumented immigrants — including discounted college tuition.
“No state can be allowed to treat Americans like second-class citizens in their own country by offering financial benefits to illegal aliens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement.
“The Department of Justice just won on this exact issue in Texas, and we look forward to taking this fight to Minnesota to protect the rights of American citizens first.”
Minnesota officials have not yet publicly responded to the suit.Tools
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