The Justice Department under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging Maryland's Dream Act. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
July 17 (UPI) -- The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Maryland laws offering in-state tuition benefits to qualifying undocumented students, the latest challenge to so-called Dream Act laws amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
The lawsuit filed Thursday is the 13th brought by the Trump administration challenging state laws that permit undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates, alleging the laws unconstitutionally discriminate against out-of-state U.S. citizens.
"By granting illegal aliens in-state tuition, Maryland is not only violating federal law, but subsidizing education for illegal aliens, costing Maryland taxpayers roughly $9M for just one academic year," Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement.
"This Department of Justice is committed to fulfilling President Trump's promise that illegal aliens will not obtain taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment over our own citizens."
