Trump Administration Sues California to Shut Down In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

The Hard News Here…

On Thursday, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California challenging California’s AB 540 system — the framework that gives illegal aliens in-state tuition if they attended a California high school for at least three years. Through the California Dream Act, many of these same individuals also receive state-funded financial aid. Named defendants include Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, the State of California, the UC Regents, the CSU Trustees, and the Community College Board of Governors.

The Department of Justice argues these programs violate 8 U.S.C. § 1623(a), which bars states from granting postsecondary benefits based on residency to illegal aliens unless the same benefit is available to all U.S. citizens on equal terms. The complaint states plainly: “This unequal treatment is squarely prohibited and preempted by federal law.”

The Los Angeles Times reports approximately 80,000 illegal aliens are enrolled across California’s public colleges — a figure that underscores the reach of these policies and the size of what is now at stake.

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For breaking news like this, the essential facts are always free for every reader. What follows below the firewall is the deeper analysis — what this lawsuit means, the legal stakes, and how California’s political leadership is likely to respond. Today’s a great day to upgrade - get your free week below!

Here’s what we explore behind the paywall:

• Why this lawsuit hits harder than California expected.

• The move that could unravel Sacramento’s whole strategy.

• How California ended up rewarding illegal aliens more than citizens.

• What critics say the state hoped no one would notice.

• The surprise consequence if the feds win — or if they lose...