Trump Management Sues California Over Tuition Benefits for Undocumented students
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Department of Justice under former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against the state of California on Tuesday, challenging the legality of state laws providing financial aid to undocumented students attending public colleges and universities. The lawsuit alleges that these laws violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by discriminating against legal residents of other states.
California’s AB 540, enacted in 2001, allows undocumented students who meet certain criteria - including graduating from a California high school – to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. Subsequent legislation, including AB 133, expanded financial aid eligibility to these students.The Trump administration argued these policies incentivize illegal immigration and unfairly disadvantage students from other states who must pay higher out-of-state tuition. The suit seeks to halt the state’s practice of providing these benefits, potentially impacting thousands of students and the state’s higher education system.
The legal challenge marks a final effort by the Trump administration to curtail protections for undocumented immigrants before leaving office. California officials have vowed to vigorously defend their laws, arguing thay promote educational possibility and contribute to the state’s economy. The outcome of the case could have meaningful implications for other states with similar policies, setting a precedent for federal intervention in state-level immigration matters.
according to data from the California Student Aid Commission, approximately 33,000 undocumented students benefited from the state’s financial aid programs in the 2018-2019 academic year, receiving over $32 million in aid.The lawsuit claims that by providing these benefits, California is effectively creating a “magnet” for illegal immigration, placing a strain on state resources and disadvantaging legal residents.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement calling the lawsuit “a cruel and baseless attack” on California’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for all students. He affirmed the state’s intention to “fight to protect the rights of our students and uphold our values of inclusivity and opportunity.” The case is expected to be closely watched by immigration advocates and state governments across the country.
