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Judge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Challenging in-State Tuition for Undocumented Students in Minnesota
The judge ruled Minnesota’s law does not violate federal statutes and criticized the Trump administration for misinterpreting the law, allowing tuition benefits for undocumented students.
- On Friday, United States District Judge Katherine Menendez dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit challenging Minnesota's in-state tuition policy, ruling the state law does not violate federal statutes.
- The Trump administration filed the suit in June 2025, alleging the policy discriminates against U.S. citizens by offering preferential benefits to immigrants not lawfully present in the United States.
- Minnesota law allows students attending a state high school for three years to qualify for in-state tuition, costing about $12,900 versus $26,700 for out-of-state students, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
- Menendez noted the federal government lacked standing to sue Governor Tim Walz or Attorney General Keith Ellison, as neither official controls tuition eligibility. Ellison applauded the ruling as a defeat of federal overreach.
- At least 22 states and the District of Columbia grant similar in-state benefits, and this dismissal stands as a final judgment with prejudice, preventing the DOJ from refiling the case.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Judge tosses DOJ lawsuit challenging Minnesota's in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
Share This StoryA district court judge tossed out the Trump administration’s lawsuit on March 27 against Minnesota laws that allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates, or in some cases have tuition waived, for college and university classes, ruling that the state law doesn’t violate federal law. Judge Katherine Menendez of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota granted the state’s motion to dismiss the Department of J…
Judge Tosses DOJ Lawsuit Challenging Minnesota’s In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants
A district court judge tossed out the Trump administration’s lawsuit on March 27 against Minnesota laws that allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates, or in some cases waive tuition, for college and university classes, ruling that the state law doesn’t violate federal law. United States District Judge Katherine Menendez granted the state’s motion to dismiss the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit, filed on June 25, 2025, finding …
Judge tosses Trump challenge to Minnesota in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
Justice Department alleges law discriminates against out-of-state U.S. citizens Illegal immigrants may continue to receive in-state tuition rates in Minnesota after a federal judge dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit challenging the law as discriminatory toward out-of-state U.S. citizens. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez threw out the Department of Justice’s case on Friday… Source
Judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit challenging in-state tuition for undocumented students in Minnesota
United States District Judge Katherine Menendez has dismissed the Trump administration’s challenge to Minnesota law that allows in-state tuition for students of immigrants living in the country illegally. The federal government sued Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and other state officials over a law that allows these students to receive in-state tuition for college if they…
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