The Cal State Student Association (CSSA) strongly condemns the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit challenging California laws that provide in-state tuition, scholarships, and state-funded loans to undocumented students and other non-citizen residents.

As the officially recognized statewide voice of CSU students, representing all 23 campuses and nearly half a million students in the system, we affirm that this law is not “special treatment.” It is a basic equity measure that allows long-time California students, many of whom grew up in our K-12 schools, to pay in-state tuition and access state financial aid so they can pursue their education alongside their peers.

For over two decades, California law AB 540 has allowed eligible nonresident students, including undocumented students, to pay in-state tuition if they meet clear attendance and graduation requirements. The California Dream Act then opened state and institutional financial aid, such as Cal Grants, campus grants, and state-based loans, to many of these same students who are categorically excluded from federal financial aid. These policies reflect California’s commitment to educational opportunity.

Today, California is home to thousands of undocumented students in higher education, and around one in five of the nation’s undocumented college students attend a California public university. Many are first-generation, low-income students who balance work, family responsibilities, and school. The DOJ’s lawsuit directly targets their ability to afford college and threatens to push thousands of students out of classrooms, and pushes them back into isolation and socio-economic marginalization.

The federal government’s characterization of these students as “illegal aliens” who receive “exclusive tuition benefits” is not only a racially charged and distasteful statement, but it also distorts reality and ignores the fact that they are humans. They are our classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and often long-time Californians who contribute to our campuses and communities every day. Rather than “discriminating against” U.S. citizens, California’s policies ensure that students educated in our schools, regardless of legal status, are not priced out of college solely because of the paperwork they do or do not have.

To put it plainly, undocumented and immigrant students are always welcome at all CSUs. The State of California, Governor Newsom, and the State Attorney General must continue to push back against this attack by the DOJ to defend AB 540 and the California Dream Act. We affirm the right for all students to pursue an affordable, quality higher education, irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, or legal status.

We urge our CSU campuses to continue to:

• Reaffirm, in writing, that all currently enrolled students remain welcomed and supported regardless of legal status.
• Expand communication about legal resources, mental health services, and financial aid advising for undocumented and mixed-status families.
• Strengthen resource centers and staff dedicated to undocumented student success.

As of today, there are no current changes to AB 540, AB 130 (Student Financial Aid: Eligibility: California Dream Act, 2011), and AB 131 (Student Financial Aid, 2011). Everything remains in place.

To undocumented and immigrant CSU students: we see you, we value you, and we will continue to fight alongside you. Your educational dreams are non-negotiable.

CSSA stands ready to work with student governments, campus administrators, community partners, and state and federal policymakers to ensure that every CSU student, regardless of their background or status, can access an affordable, high-quality public higher education in California.

When we fight, we win.

Always in Solidarity,
CSSA 2025-2026 Executive Officers

For additional resources, please see below and visit the Linktree in our Instagram bio.
CSU Legal Support Services
CA Student Aid Commission – California Nonresident Tuition Exemption
Immigrants Rising (non-profit org.) Resources

For media inquiries, please see Media Request Form
Contact: Angelica Juarez, ajuarez@calstate.edu
Cal State Student Association (CSSA)
Website: calstatestudents.org

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