The Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, announced Monday plans to sue New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. The lawsuits target state laws providing in-state tuition and other financial benefits to illegal immigrants.
“These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens who do not receive the same benefits,” the department stated. The Justice Department argues that these laws encourage illegal immigration. The department seeks to halt laws offering financial assistance or in-state tuition rates to immigrants, regardless of their legal status.
Connecticut Attorney General, William Tong, opposed the lawsuit against his state. “This is about federal law: colleges cannot offer benefits to illegal aliens that U.S. citizens do not receive,” stated Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate. “Our Justice Department will not accept American students facing discrimination in their own country,” he added.
In a comment to Fox News Digital, the Department of Justice expressed confidence in its lawsuits. It cited legal victories in five other states with similar cases. Led by Attorney General Todd Blanche, the department claims these wins include orders against unconstitutional laws in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Illinois.
Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong criticized the lawsuit on Tuesday. “Note to Trump — stay out of Connecticut. How we educate our kids is our decision,” Tong declared. “I fought for this law in 2011 and will defend Connecticut families now. We offer in-state tuition and aid because all kids deserve a chance to learn and achieve,” he explained. “Trump does not run our colleges,” Tong insisted.
Fox News Digital reached out to the attorneys general of New York and Vermont for comments on the lawsuits. The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against 17 states, including New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and others like Minnesota, Virginia, and California, targeting reduced tuition laws for illegal immigrants.
Recently, a federal judge ruled Illinois’ in-state tuition policies unconstitutional, marking a win for the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts. The original lawsuit against Illinois was filed in September 2025.
For more updates, follow Lindsay Kornick on Twitter at @lmkornick or send story tips to [email protected].
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