Justice Department sues Colorado over in-state tuition for illegal immigrants

3 min read

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Colorado, naming the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the state Department of Higher Education and director JB Holston, alleging the Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) Act and related policies violate a federal statute that bars states from offering residency-based benefits to illegal immigrants unless identical benefits are available to all U.S. citizens. The complaint says Colorado reduced a high school attendance requirement from three to one year, removed a 12-month admission window and repealed an affidavit mandate, and it asks a court to declare the laws unconstitutional and award fees.

The Justice Department sued Colorado over ASSET Act education benefits.