For Immediate Release: September 11, 2026
Contact: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Washington, DC – Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Justice announced its latest lawsuits against states’ tuition equity policies for Dreamers, with new complaints against Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Utah bringing the total to 25 such lawsuits filed in the past two years.
The following are statements from TheDream.US, MALDEF, and the Presidents’ Alliance for Higher Education and Immigration in response.
Gaby Pacheco, President and CEO of TheDream.US: “The states are different, but the key takeaways remain the same: we are witnessing a coordinated attack against Dreamers’ educational opportunities, stability, and safety that threatens to harm not only the affected students, but the entire nation.”
Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF: “This coordinated attack on the rights of young immigrants is unprecedented and unwarranted. No administration of either party has ever previously challenged these state tuition-equity laws. No one in 2024 voted for shady lawsuits and courthouse shenanigans in casting a ballot for president. These final suits seal a legacy of shame for this department and administration.”
Miriam Feldblum, President & CEO, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration: “Let’s be clear, federal law does not categorically prohibit states from extending in-state tuition to undocumented students. Twenty-five lawsuits in less than two years is a tragic milestone and should be a wake-up call for all of us in higher education. The administration’s sweeping effort to shut off higher education access and affordability to Dreamers defies all educational, economic, and common sense. These policies, many enacted with bipartisan support, expand access to education, strengthen state workforces, and increase the number of skilled graduates contributing to their communities and our country.”
About TheDream.US: TheDream.US is the nation’s leading organization supporting Dreamers at the intersection of higher education, workforce development, immigration, and advocacy. We’ve awarded over 13,000 scholarships to immigrant youth from 120+ countries and 45 states, with more than 5,000 graduates to date. We partner with close to 80 colleges in 19 states and Washington D.C. to provide scholarships, career support, and access to legal options that help Dreamers break through systemic barriers and achieve social mobility.
Through data, Scholar and Alumni stories, strategic partnerships, and targeted state and local advocacy, we work to expand equitable access to college, professional pathways, and permanent legal status. For more information on TheDream.US, visit www.thedream.us
About MALDEF: Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the “law firm of the Latino community,” MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access. For more information on MALDEF, please visit: www.maldef.org.
About the Presidents’ Alliance: The nonpartisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to support immigrant, international and refugee students, and advance forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal level, in our states, and across our college campuses. The Alliance is composed of close to 600 college and university presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 42 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
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