The Department of Justice has sued to end Maryland’s law that allows illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition rates, saying it violates a federal law that limits states’ ability to grant that benefit to those in the country illegally.
Maryland’s law, enacted in 2011, allows illegal immigrants who graduated from a school in the state, who attend a state college and whose parents have been paying taxes in the state to pay the same rates as legal state residents.
Justice Department officials said that amounts to discrimination against U.S. citizens from other states — and it breaks a federal law to that effect.
“This is a simple matter of federal law: Colleges cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate.
The lawsuit also seeks to block Maryland’s policy of allowing illegal immigrants access to scholarships and financial assistance.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown denounced the lawsuit as an attack on the students.
“Today, the Department of Justice sued to take away an opportunity from Maryland students who grew up here, graduated from school here, and are working to pursue something more for themselves, their families, and the communities in which they live,” said Mr. Brown, a Democrat.
about time! now get them out of our schools and give the taxpayers a break! why am I being forced to pay to educate people who are here illegally?