American Dream Protection Act of 2025
Summary
The American Dream Protection Act of 2025 aims to amend Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. It seeks to prohibit federal financial assistance to states and public higher education institutions that offer in-state tuition or other postsecondary benefits to aliens not lawfully present in the United States. The bill also codifies Executive Order 14287, related to preventing federal benefits for aliens in sanctuary jurisdictions, giving it the force of law.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this act would restrict access to federal funding for states and institutions that provide certain educational benefits to undocumented immigrants. This could lead to increased tuition costs for these individuals and potentially reduce enrollment. The codification of Executive Order 14287 would further limit benefits available to aliens in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Potential Benefits
- Prioritizes federal funding for the education of U.S. citizens and lawful residents.
- Aims to create a more uniform federal immigration policy regarding access to higher education benefits.
- Could potentially reduce the financial burden on taxpayers by limiting benefits to non-lawful residents.
- May incentivize states to align their policies with federal immigration laws.
- Could lead to increased enrollment opportunities for U.S. citizens and lawful residents in higher education.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could negatively impact access to higher education for undocumented immigrants, limiting their opportunities for advancement.
- May create financial hardships for states and institutions that rely on federal funding and currently offer benefits to undocumented immigrants.
- Could lead to decreased diversity in higher education institutions.
- Potentially conflicts with state-level policies aimed at providing educational opportunities to all residents.
- May face legal challenges based on equal protection arguments.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality could be debated under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. However, Congress has broad power over immigration under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4, which grants Congress the power to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. The Act's conditioning of federal funds on compliance with federal law is generally permissible under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1), but could be challenged if the conditions are unduly coercive.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).