DOJ Sues Minnesota Over College Aid for Undocumented Immigrants in Escalating National Battle
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota and Democratic Governor Tim Walz, challenging a state-funded program that offers college financial aid to undocumented immigrants—marking the latest flashpoint in a growing legal war over benefits for non-citizens.
This move follows similar DOJ actions in Texas and Kentucky, where the department is cracking down on state policies that extend public benefits to undocumented residents. The Minnesota suit targets the state’s 2013 Dream Act, which allows certain undocumented students to access in-state tuition and financial aid if they meet residency and graduation requirements.
“Americans Should Come First,” Says DOJ
Attorney General Pam Bondi sharply criticized Minnesota’s policy, calling it “unfair and unlawful.”
“No state can treat Americans like second-class citizens by prioritizing financial aid for illegal immigrants,” Bondi said Friday. “We secured a legal victory in Texas, and we’re confident Minnesota will follow.”
At the heart of the DOJ’s case is the argument that the program disadvantages out-of-state U.S. citizens, who must pay higher tuition than undocumented students who qualify under Minnesota’s residency guidelines.
State Officials Push Back
The lawsuit names Governor Walz, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and State Attorney General Keith Ellison as defendants. Walz, who ran as the 2024 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated.
“This is part of a larger political agenda,” Walz said, vowing to defend Minnesota’s commitment to educational access “for all residents, regardless of immigration status.”
Supreme Court Delivers Separate Win to DOJ
Meanwhile, the DOJ notched a significant victory at the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6–3 decision, the justices limited the power of lower federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions that block presidential actions—an issue that has complicated challenges to former President Trump’s executive orders, including those on immigration.
“This is a critical win for presidential authority,” Bondi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), praising Solicitor General John Sauer and her legal team.
The ruling reshapes how future legal battles will unfold, especially those involving immigration, education access, and federal authority. Legal experts expect a potential Supreme Court showdown on Trump’s controversial birthright citizenship order when the justices reconvene this fall.