Higher education institutions are profiting from the enrollment of 408,000 illegal immigrants, many of whom receive tuition benefits that US citizens from other states are denied. This widespread practice persists despite a federal law prohibiting states from offering in-state tuition to illegal immigrants unless the same rates apply to all US citizens.
At least 25 states currently provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, with 20 of them also granting financial aid. California, Texas, Florida, and New York enroll the most illegal immigrants, making up the majority of those receiving tuition breaks at taxpayer expense.
While the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision only applied to K-12 education, it laid the groundwork for policies that have allowed illegal immigrants to attend college at discounted rates. Legal loopholes have enabled universities to continue the practice, while courts have largely dismissed lawsuits brought by affected American families.
Some states have taken steps to prevent illegal immigrants from benefiting at taxpayer expense. Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina prohibit them from enrolling in public universities, and seven other states deny access to state financial aid. Meanwhile, states like Minnesota have expanded programs, allowing illegal immigrants to attend state universities tuition-free.
Beyond tuition benefits, universities have also been involved in efforts to shield illegal immigrants from deportation. Legal teams at some institutions work to protect students from immigration enforcement, further entrenching policies that favor noncitizens over US taxpayers.
As universities continue to profit from illegal immigration, American students and their families bear the financial cost, with little being done to correct the imbalance.
