A federal judge permanently blocked Illinois laws that allow some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition and access state scholarships and aid. U.S. District Judge David W. Dugan ruled that the Illinois policies conflict with federal immigration law that bars educational benefits based on state residency unless U.S. citizens or nationals are eligible. The decision also enjoined enforcement of the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act and the Illinois DREAM Act. DOJ statements framed the ruling as preventing a state incentive scheme for undocumented students. For higher education institutions in Illinois, the injunction creates immediate uncertainty about tuition classification and eligibility for state-based scholarship programs tied to enrollment status. The state has 14 days to decide whether to appeal, and the injunction does not take effect during that period. The ruling follows similar DOJ-driven outcomes in Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, intensifying the compliance and planning burden for states and colleges navigating overlapping federal and state eligibility frameworks.