U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ are challenging Illinois laws granting student financial aid to illegal immigrants. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law in August extending student financial aid eligibility to illegals. (Jason C. Andrew/Bloomberg via Getty Images and Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In the DOJ statement, U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois commented that "Illinois has an apparent desire to win a ‘race to the bottom’ as the country’s leading sanctuary state."
Weinhoeft said that Illinois’ "misguided approach mandating in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to illegal aliens plainly violates federal law" and that "this policy treats illegal aliens better than U.S. citizens living in other states and incentivizes even more illegal immigration, all on the taxpayer’s dime."
"Illinois citizens deserve better," he said.
Bondi commented that "this Department of Justice has already filed multiple lawsuits to prevent U.S. students from being treated like second-class citizens — Illinois now joins the list of states where we are relentlessly fighting to vindicate federal law."
In response to the complaint, a spokesperson for Pritzker's office told Fox News Digital that "this is yet another blatant attempt to strip Illinoisans of resources and opportunities."
"While the Trump Administration strips away federal resources from all Americans, Illinois provides consistent and inclusive educational pathways for all students – including immigrants and first-generation students – to access support and contribute to our state," said the spokesperson. "All Illinoisans deserve a fair shot to obtain an education and our programs and policies are consistent with federal laws."
DOJ CALLS FOR TIPS ON EMPLOYERS FAVORING FOREIGN WORKERS IN HIRING PRACTICES
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agents walk down a street during a multi-agency, targeted enforcement operation in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 26, 2025. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"To be honest, it's terrifying that not only are we having to pay for this, as you know, tax-paying citizens … But also, as parents, not knowing how it will really truly end up affecting our children and their education," explained Cunney.
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She said that under Pritzker’s leadership, "we know that the children who are not here legally will get … more of a chance and an opportunity to get scholarships and everything than our children, because to Pritzker, and so many others, we are not important. We are not anything other than money."
A spokesperson for Raoul's office told Fox News' Digital the office is "reviewing the case and don’t have any further comment."
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doj-moves-block-blue-state-from-giving-financial-aid-illegals