Outlet reports Trump Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block Maryland in-state tuition for undocumented students

A lawsuit described by The Washington Times as filed by the Trump Justice Department is aimed at stopping Maryland from offering in-state tuition rates to students who are in the United States illegally. The report says the federal government’s action challenges a Maryland policy that, under the state’s framework, allows undocumented residents to access lower, in-state costs for higher education.

According to the Washington Times, the Justice Department argues the Maryland program violates a federal statute that constrains what states may do when it comes to granting in-state tuition benefits to people who are present in the country unlawfully. The suit is described as a direct attempt to prevent the policy from taking effect or continuing to operate.

The reported dispute also raises federal-state authority questions in the context of higher education eligibility. States set tuition rates and determine admission and residency-related classifications, but federal law can restrict or preempt state choices in areas where Congress has legislated eligibility boundaries tied to immigration status.

The practical effect of such a challenge, if it proceeds in court, would center on which students qualify for resident tuition pricing and how affected institutions administer tuition classifications. Changes would likely flow through university billing, financial aid eligibility rules, and any state-level implementation guidance tied to the disputed residency definition.

The Washington Times report does not provide, in the information provided for this draft, the specific court where the case is filed, the precise legal claims asserted by the government, or any deadlines or interim relief requests. It also does not identify whether Maryland has sought to defend the policy on statutory grounds or whether the state is prepared to address constitutional arguments.

Next steps depend on the procedural posture of the case, including whether the federal government seeks an order halting enforcement while litigation is pending. If a court issues an injunction or a merits ruling, Maryland would need to revise residency and tuition eligibility implementation, and public universities would adjust their tuition and aid processing accordingly.