Virginia’s outgoing Republican officials asked a federal judge to block the state’s Dream Act, eliminating in‑state tuition eligibility for undocumented students and aligning state policy with the current federal administration’s stance. Incoming Democrats and advocacy groups immediately vowed litigation and political pushback. The move came during a lame‑duck session and was reported by Katherine Knott; it follows similar state‑level clashes over residency and enrollment rules that affect undergraduate retention, affordability, and community college pipelines. University enrollment offices and financial aid directors must prepare for rapid policy shifts and potential legal injunctions that could change tuition billing practices mid‑year. If courts uphold the state request, public institutions will need operational plans to identify affected students, reprice tuition, and deploy emergency financial aid. Legal outcomes will also shape institutional outreach and compliance obligations in states facing similar partisan transitions.