The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a major legal battle against the state of Minnesota and Governor Tim Walz, challenging a decade-old law that allows undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates and state-funded college aid.
At the heart of the dispute is the Minnesota Dream Act, enacted in 2013, which offers tuition discounts and financial support to undocumented residents. The DOJ claims the law unfairly disadvantages U.S. citizens—especially those from outside Minnesota—by charging them more for the same education. Officials argue this violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.
This case reflects a wider federal campaign under the Trump administration to roll back what it calls “special treatment” for undocumented individuals in public programs. The Justice Department has already secured favorable rulings in similar cases in Texas and is pursuing others in Kentucky, aiming to reinforce the idea that public benefits should prioritize American citizens.
Governor Walz, who recently rose to national prominence as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election, has stood by the Dream Act. Still, he acknowledges the political sensitivity surrounding the issue. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a vocal backer of the policy, is expected to take the lead in defending the state.
Meanwhile, a recent executive order from the Trump administration directed federal agencies to strip out any policy that favors non-citizens over citizens. This move came shortly after a major Supreme Court decision that limited the use of nationwide injunctions, a legal tactic that had previously stalled several of the administration’s immigration initiatives. The ruling opens the door for the White House to press forward on controversial goals, including potential limits on birthright citizenship—a shift that could have sweeping implications for thousands of children born to undocumented parents in the U.S. each year.
While the immediate focus is on education funding, the Minnesota lawsuit highlights a deeper national conversation about public resources, immigration, and the evolving definition of American citizenship—a conversation that promises to shape the political landscape heading into 2025.
