On September 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued the District of Columbia, the Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia, and the State Superintendent of Education in the District of Columbia to block laws allowing qualifying undocumented students to receive resident tuition and state-funded financial assistance. The District of Columbia permits students of any citizenship or immigration status who satisfy specified residency requirements—including establishing a continuous physical presence in the District for at least 12 consecutive months and graduating from a District of Columbia high school or completing a GED in the District—to qualify as resident students for tuition purposes. The District also makes certain financial aid programs available to students based on residency. DOJ claims the District of Columbia’s policy is violating federal law and discriminating against U.S. citizens who reside outside the state by providing benefits to undocumented students while denying them to out-of-state U.S. citizens.