The state of Minnesota is facing a high-profile legal challenge after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit concerning the state’s financial aid policies for undocumented students. At the center of the case is the Minnesota Dream Act, a law passed in 2013 that allows qualifying undocumented students to access in-state tuition and state-funded college financial assistance.
The lawsuit marks a significant development in ongoing discussions about how states implement education benefits for non-citizen residents. According to the DOJ, the Minnesota Dream Act may create disparities by offering lower tuition rates to undocumented students that are not available to U.S. citizens from out of state. The department argues that this setup could raise questions under the Equal Protection Clause.
In a public statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi underscored the federal government’s position that all citizens should be treated equally under state-administered programs. She referenced previous legal rulings in Texas and other states as part of a broader effort to review how public benefits are extended.
The lawsuit names Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the state’s Office of Higher Education as defendants. The DOJ’s position is that by offering benefits to undocumented residents not available to certain citizens, the current policy may warrant closer legal examination.
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