A federal judge has ruled that several Illinois laws providing in-state tuition, state financial aid, and scholarship opportunities to illegal aliens violate federal law, delivering a significant legal setback to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s immigration policies.
The decision invalidates key provisions of the Illinois DREAM Act and the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act, which expanded educational benefits for qualifying undocumented students.
U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn found that the state laws conflict with federal immigration statutes by offering educational benefits to individuals who are in the country unlawfully while similar benefits are not available to all U.S. citizens regardless of residency.
The ruling permanently blocks Illinois from enforcing the challenged provisions, although enforcement has been stayed briefly to allow the state time to appeal.
The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which argued that Illinois unlawfully favored illegal aliens over American citizens in violation of federal law. Federal officials said the decision reinforces congressional limits on state-funded educational benefits tied to immigration status.
The decision is part of a broader series of Justice Department challenges targeting similar tuition and financial aid policies in several states.
For more metro, national, and international news stories, visit newyorkvoicenews.com.
Add as preferred source on Google
