The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Connecticut challenging state law which makes undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state tuition rates and financial assistance.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut on Monday.
It names the following defendants: the State of Connecticut, the Office of Higher Education, office Commissioner Timothy Larson, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, and the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut.
The Department of Justice also filed similar actions against New York and Vermont on Monday.
The federal government is challenging Connecticut state law passed in 2011 which "extends eligibility for in-state tuition benefits at Connecticut postsecondary education institutions to illegal aliens residing in Connecticut, while requiring U.S. citizens from other states to pay a higher tuition rate," the lawsuit states.
According to the University of Connecticut's website, for example, in-state undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 is at $17,010, while out-of-state tuition costs $39,678.
In an announcement about the litigation Monday, the federal government asserted Connecticut's laws discriminate against U.S. citizens outside Connecticut who can't access reduced tuition or scholarships.
The government claims this creates "incentives for illegal immigration."
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in an announcement: "Congress long ago made clear that States cannot put illegal aliens over our Nation's own citizens. By granting illegal aliens in-state tuition, New York, Vermont, and Connecticut are doing just that. No more."
Gov. Ned Lamont said a majority of state lawmakers agreed kids who grow up in Connecticut and graduate from public schools should be able to afford to attend college here, including those who have applied for legal status.
"We believe that our economy works best for everyone when more people have access to education opportunities," Lamont said, in a statement Monday. "The Trump administration's priorities remain completely out of touch with working families and the middle class. The only things President Trump has accomplished while in office are increasing the price of everything and using his position to attack vulnerable communities."
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong added, "Note to Trump—stay out of Connecticut."
"I fought for this bill as a legislator when it passed in 2011, and I'll fight to defend Connecticut families now from this cruel attack," Tong said. "Connecticut offers in-state tuition and financial aid to all eligible Connecticut students because all kids deserve the opportunity to learn, to advance, and to achieve their dreams. Donald Trump doesn't run UConn or any of our state colleges, and we're not about to let him start."
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