BOSTON — The U.S. Department of Justice is suing to overturn a Massachusetts law that treats all high school graduates in the Commonwealth equitably, regardless of their immigration status.
The Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law extends eligibility for in-state tuition and state financial aid to any student who attended a high school in the Commonwealth for at least three years and earned a diploma in Massachusetts. The ACLU of Massachusetts advocated for the law at the State House and supported its passage in August of 2023.
Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s lawsuit:
“All students who work hard to graduate from Massachusetts high schools deserve an equal opportunity at higher education — including access to in-state tuition and state financial aid.
“The Tuition Equity Law is good for students, good for families, and good for our economy. Immigrants now make up nearly a quarter of the Massachusetts labor force, and policies like tuition equity make this a place where they can thrive, fueling innovation and growth.
“The Trump administration’s relentless attacks on immigrants are not only cruel, but also incredibly shortsighted. Our nation can only flourish when everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential and when everyone is treated with dignity.
“At the ACLU of Massachusetts, we see immigrant rights, racial justice, and economic justice as core civil liberties issues, and we will continue to work to protect and expand opportunities for all.”
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