The U.S. Department of Justice has officially filed a complaint against Nebraska, simultaneously entering a proposed consent decree with the state to strike down laws that granted in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented immigrants.
The legal move aims to permanently block state statutes that the Department argues unconstitutionally favor non-citizens over American nationals.
If approved by a federal court, the agreement would end a two-decade-old policy in Nebraska. Federal officials argue that giving reduced tuition rates to those in the country illegally violates federal law and creates an unfair incentive for illegal immigration by offering benefits that some U.S. citizens from other states cannot access.
“For two decades, the Nebraska legislature gave preferential treatment to illegal aliens over American citizens,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated. Woodward praised the move as a “commonsense correction” and urged other states to stop policies that reward illegal entry with educational perks.
READ: SCOTUS Denies Military Contractor “License To Be Careless” In Landmark Veteran Bombing Case
The lawsuit is the eighth of its kind under the current administration’s push to roll back taxpayer-funded benefits for undocumented residents. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Civil Division noted that the Department of Justice has already secured similar legal victories in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. Shumate added that the government is prepared to take this legal fight to any state that fails to “put American citizens first.”
Nebraska’s top leadership signaled total alignment with the federal intervention. Governor Jim Pillen called the previous state laws “deeply misguided and unconstitutional,” noting that Nebraskans do not expect their tax dollars to fund tuition breaks for those without legal status.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who joined the DOJ in the motion, echoed this, stating the joint filing ensures the “unconstitutional law” is permanently enjoined.
READ: GOP Civil War Explodes: Florida Reps Demand Senate ‘Nuke’ Rules To Pass ‘SAVE America Act’
U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods for the District of Nebraska characterized the move as a partnership to ensure federal funds aren’t used to discriminate against lawful citizens. The complaint specifically targets laws requiring colleges and universities to provide residency-based tuition rates regardless of legal presence, as well as statutes offering state-funded scholarships.
While Nebraska has reached an agreement, the Department of Justice confirmed that litigation remains active in several other states. Similar lawsuits are currently pending in Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia, and California as part of a broader national crackdown on state-level immigrant benefit programs.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
