Story perspectives

Judges Reject Trump's Lawsuits Against Sanctuary Tuition Laws

4/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

In 2025, a judge dismissed lawsuits by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration against sanctuary laws in Colorado and Minnesota that allowed in-state tuition for undocumented students.
In Colorado, U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher ruled that federal authorities cannot compel state officials to enforce federal immigration laws.
In Minnesota, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that the state in-state tuition law for undocumented students did not discriminate against U.S. citizens.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Arizona's immigration law in 2012, allowing local enforcement of federal policies, which sparked a wave of similar laws in states like Colorado and Minnesota. This ongoing tension between federal authority and state rights reflects a historical debate dating back to the Alien Act of 1798, shaping the future of immigration policy and the legal status of undocumented residents.

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Story summary

In 2025, a judge dismissed lawsuits by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration against sanctuary laws in Colorado and Minnesota that allowed in-state tuition for undocumented students.
In Colorado, U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher ruled that federal authorities cannot compel state officials to enforce federal immigration laws.
In Minnesota, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that the state in-state tuition law for undocumented students did not discriminate against U.S. citizens.

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