DOJ Sues Minnesota Over Financial Aid for I

DOJ Sues Minnesota Over Tuition Aid for Undocumented Immigrants

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota and Governor Tim Walz over the state’s 2013 Dream Act, which provides in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented immigrants.

The DOJ argues the law unfairly favors non-citizens over U.S. citizens from other states. “No state can be permitted to treat Americans as second-class citizens… by providing financial benefits to illegal aliens,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Accusations of Discrimination

The lawsuit claims the policy violates the Equal Protection Clause, as out-of-state U.S. citizens pay significantly higher tuition. “The extent of this discrimination against U.S. citizens is significant,” the DOJ stated. State Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education are also named in the suit.

Political Fallout and Walz’s Response

Governor Walz, now a national figure as the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, has defended the program. He acknowledged political resistance to the broader immigration platform he supports, saying, “The country was not ready for the message we were promoting.” No formal legal reply has been filed yet, but Ellison is expected to lead the defense.

Broader Federal Crackdown and Legal Shifts

The lawsuit is part of a wider Trump administration push to eliminate what it calls “preferential treatment” for undocumented immigrants. A recent Supreme Court ruling limits nationwide injunctions, aiding Trump’s efforts. Bondi celebrated the decision: “The president’s policies and the power to carry them out will be fiercely defended by this Department of Justice.”