An estimated 408,000 illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in US colleges and universities, with many receiving in-state tuition and financial aid while American students from other states must pay full price. Despite federal law barring this practice, higher education institutions continue to benefit from enrolling illegal immigrants, collecting millions in taxpayer-funded tuition assistance.
Twenty-five states currently allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition, even though federal law prohibits offering reduced rates to noncitizens unless all US citizens are granted the same benefit. In 20 of those states, additional government financial aid is provided to undocumented students, giving them access to funding that is often unavailable to out-of-state American students.
Illegal immigrants enrolled in higher education are primarily concentrated in states such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York, where the majority of these students attend public institutions. Most of them arrived in the US as children, with 71% entering before turning 17. The number of illegal immigrants qualifying for DACA status has declined in recent years due to legal restrictions.
While some states have attempted to curb these policies, challenges in court have prevented change. Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina prohibit illegal immigrants from enrolling in public universities, while seven other states block access to in-state tuition or financial aid. Lawsuits challenging these tuition breaks have been dismissed, as courts have ruled that US citizens lack standing to challenge the practice.
Colleges and universities have also taken steps to shield illegal immigrants from immigration enforcement, providing legal assistance and institutional support to undocumented students. In some cases, public universities have even been repurposed as shelters for new arrivals, raising concerns among students and faculty.
Despite growing concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers, universities continue to profit from the enrollment of illegal immigrants, leaving American families with higher tuition costs while institutions take advantage of state and federal funding.
