Representative Brad Finstad of Minnesota has expressed support for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit against Minnesota, which aims to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving in-state tuition and ensure fair treatment of American citizens. Finstad made this statement on the social media platform X.
“Today U.S. Department of Justice sued Gov. Tim Walz and the State of Minnesota to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition at universities in our state,” said Finstad. “Attorney General Pam Bondi is right when she says “No state can be allowed to treat Americans like second-class citizens in their own country. Thankful for DOJ’s continued efforts to restore commonsense policies to our state!”
In June 2025, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Minnesota concerning its North Star Promise and Dream Act programs. These initiatives provide in-state tuition and scholarships to undocumented immigrants. The DOJ argues that these policies violate federal immigration law, as reported by AP News. This legal action is part of a broader federal effort targeting similar tuition programs across various states, intensifying national debates over state versus federal authority on immigration and education policy.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education reports that there are approximately 75,100 undocumented immigrants in the state. Thousands are believed to qualify for in-state tuition under Minnesota’s Dream Act and North Star Promise programs, although precise enrollment numbers remain confidential due to privacy concerns and reporting restrictions.
According to AP News and the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, as of 2022, 21 states and some university systems, including those in Minnesota, offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Recent lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky, and Minnesota reflect a growing legal push to restrict or overturn these benefits in accordance with federal statutes.
Finstad is a Republican U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 1st District. He previously served in the state legislature and as Minnesota director for USDA Rural Development. In his public statements, Finstad has supported stricter enforcement of federal immigration laws and backs DOJ legal action against state-level tuition benefits for undocumented immigrants.
