The Justice Department under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche filed lawsuits Monday challenging Massachusetts and Rhode Island laws that offer certain noncitizen residents in-state tuition benefits. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
June 30 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has filed lawsuits challenging Massachusetts and Rhode Island laws that offer in-state tuition benefits to certain undocumented immigrants, alleging they unlawfully discriminate against U.S. citizens.
The lawsuits announced Monday are the latest the Justice Department has filed against state laws that offer in-state rates, financial aid or scholarships to certain undocumented immigrants who meet state residency or education requirements, which generally consist of living in the state for a number of years and attending high school there.
Justice Department lawyers allege these laws are illegal because they offer noncitizens benefits denied to U.S. citizens from other states.
"The Department of Justice is committed to fulfilling President Trump's promise that illegal aliens will not receive taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment over America's own citizens," Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement.
