Attorney General Pam Bondi, commenting on the case, stated, “No state can be allowed to treat Americans like second-class citizens by offering financial benefits to illegal aliens.” Bondi emphasized that the DOJ had recently succeeded in a similar case in Texas and vowed to “take this fight to Minnesota.”

The program in question stems from the Minnesota Dream Act, passed in 2013, which allows undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition and state financial aid if they meet certain residency and graduation requirements. The DOJ argues that this discriminates against U.S. citizens who reside out of state and must pay higher tuition. “The magnitude of this discrimination against U.S. citizens is substantial,” said a DOJ statement.

The lawsuit also names the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and State Attorney General Keith Ellison as defendants. The legal action aligns with a 2020 executive order from then-President Donald Trump, which directed federal agencies to eliminate policies favoring illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens.

Governor Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in the unsuccessful 2024 election, responded to the broader political climate, saying the country “was not ready” for the message he and his running mate delivered.

Meanwhile, Bondi celebrated two Supreme Court rulings curbing the use of nationwide injunctions—decisions seen as major victories for the Trump administration. These rulings prevent federal judges from halting executive orders across the entire country and could impact future legal battles, including one regarding Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship.

If implemented, Trump’s order could deny automatic U.S. citizenship to roughly 255,000 babies born annually to non-citizen parents, according to the Migration Policy Institute.