DOJ sues Massachusetts and Rhode Island over in-state tuition rules
United States Rights and Public Policy – DOJ’s June 29 complaints challenge Massachusetts and Rhode Island tuition policies for some students without lawful immigration status.
The Justice Department filed complaints on June 29, 2026, against Massachusetts and Rhode Island, asking a federal court to block state tuition policies that let some students without lawful immigration status pay in-state rates and, in Massachusetts, receive certain state financial aid.
What Massachusetts and Rhode Island now allow
Massachusetts says residents at public community colleges, state universities, and the University of Massachusetts can qualify for discounted tuition. The state also says some students who cannot use FAFSA may apply through MASFA if they meet added residency, high-school, and documentation rules.
Rhode Island’s governor signed its college-tuition law in 2021. The state says eligible students must attend an approved Rhode Island high school for three years, continue to live in Rhode Island, and file for lawful immigration status when they become eligible.
Why it matters
DOJ says the laws unlawfully favor noncitizens over U.S. citizens and conflict with federal law, but the states have not lost the case yet. WBUR reported that the Massachusetts suit targets public colleges and universities statewide, and DOJ said similar cases are pending in several other states.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice press release on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island complaints
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education tuition equity guidance
- Rhode Island governor’s college tuition signing statement
- WBUR report on the Massachusetts lawsuit
- UPI national report on the in-state tuition lawsuits
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