New York.- The United States Department of Justice sued the states of New York, Connecticut, and Vermont this Monday to challenge several state laws that grant resident-rate tuition and financial aid to undocumented immigrants.
The U.S. Department of Justice argues in three lawsuits that these laws “unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens,” who “are not granted the same reduced tuition rates or scholarships.”
Furthermore, consider that the rules “create incentives for irregular immigration and reward undocumented foreigners with benefits,” and requests that their application be prohibited.
In the case of New York, the state allows undocumented students and other learners to access state-administered scholarships and grants to cover the costs of their college education.
Vermont and Connecticut measures
However, these benefits are not intended solely for foreigners without legal immigration status, but also for those who hold a U visa (for victims of certain crimes such as domestic violence), a T visa (for victims of human trafficking), or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
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The regulation also requires that other requirements be met, such as the beneficiary having graduated from high school in the state and, in addition, having enrolled in a university degree within five years of their graduation.
For its part, Vermont law allows undocumented or non-citizen students residing in the state to access in-state tuition rates, and also extends state financial aid based on economic need to all students, regardless of their immigration status.
Similarly, Connecticut passed a law in 2011 that allows undocumented students residing in the state to pay in-state tuition, with requirements such as having graduated from a high school in the state.
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The Department of Justice’s lawsuits
According to the statement, the lawsuits filed today bring to 17 the number of legal actions seeking to challenge these types of measures.
The DOJ has already succeeded in having Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Illinois block similar laws that granted reduced-price tuition to undocumented immigrants.
