Federal vs. State Education Policy

The Trump administration’s Justice Department has filed a 13-page civil lawsuit in federal court in Richmond, arguing that a Virginia law allowing students to obtain in-state tuition after one year of residency regardless of immigration status violates federal law by granting postsecondary education benefits to illegal immigrants that are denied to U.S. citizens. DOJ and Attorney General Pamela Bondi say the statute unlawfully discriminates against citizens, incentivizes illegal immigration, and must be blocked from providing in-state rates, financial aid or other benefits, as the department pursues similar tuition suits against several other states.