Federal judge guts Illinois DREAM Act and in-state tuition for immigrants

Key Points:

• A federal judge ruled Illinois' laws providing in-state tuition, financial aid, and scholarships to illegal immigrants unconstitutional, siding with the Justice Department's challenge against these state policies.
• The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn, permanently blocks Illinois from enforcing the RISE Act and Illinois DREAM Act for illegal immigrants, with a 14-day delay for potential appeals.
• The decision represents a significant victory for the Trump administration's nationwide effort to dismantle state benefits for illegal immigrants, following similar actions against Colorado and other states.
• The Justice Department argues these state policies violate federal law by offering benefits to illegal immigrants that are not extended to all U.S. citizens, while Illinois and Colorado defend their educational access initiatives.
• Several related lawsuits remain active in multiple states, with some states like Nebraska already settling to end in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants.