A national debate over education access for undocumented students intensified as legal and legislative attacks on Plyler v. Doe continue and the U.S. government sued Virginia over state tuition aid for unauthorized immigrants. Education Week’s analysis shows several states pursued measures this year to limit undocumented students’ access to public education and postsecondary benefits, while at least two states moved to enshrine Plyler protections in state law. The federal suit against Virginia escalates direct conflict between state tuition policies and federal civil‑rights protections. For admissions officers, financial aid directors and campus counsel, the litigation heightens compliance risk around residency, tuition classification and institutional aid rules heading into 2026.