Statement on U.S. District Court Ruling on The Dream Project's Intervention in Federal Lawsuit on Behalf of the Virginia Dream Act
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – On February 27th, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia notified the Dream Project that it denied the joint motion filed by the United States Department of Justice and the former Virginia Attorney General, which would have nullified the Commonwealth’s Dream Act. As a result, the District Court also denied the Dream Project’s motion to intervene in the case, filed on our behalf by the Legal Aid Justice Center, defending in-state tuition for potentially tens of thousands of students in Virginia. The Court determined that outside intervention is no longer relevant because the new Virginia Attorney General’s office will now defend this important law.
“The Dream Project welcomes the U.S. District Court’s ruling that tossed out a last minute motion filed by the outgoing Attorney General that would have denied in-state tution rates to qualifying immigrant students. This victory keeps the core legislation intact precisely because our quick action to file on New Year’s Eve, together with the Legal Aid Justice Center, bought the necessary time for a new administration and attorney general to be sworn in and defend this vital law. We saw an attempt to harm Virginia’s immigrant students and we stepped in with conviction just in the nick of time to stop it. Protecting in-state tuition rates for qualifying immigrant students is more vital than ever, as the next generation must be empowered to advance the idea and promise at the heart of the American dream. As we saw this week in the State of the Union, immigrants and particularly Latino communities are being minimized by the administration and the president’s attempt to paint us all as criminals, while education and opportunity were never mentioned in his remarks. The reality is that these students contribute to economic growth, prosperity, and qualifying immigrant students will strengthen the Commonwealth of Virginia for years to come. The Dream Project is committed to protecting the essential right to access higher education in Virginia, and we will continue to do so.”
The Dream Project is only able to engage in these major actions thanks to the leadership of our Board of Governors and to the financial support of engaged community members like you. Thank you to all those who donate to make it possible for us to fulfill our mission. If you have not donated this year, you can support us by clicking here.
Zuraya Tapia-Hadley
CEO, Dream Project
About the Dream Project: Our mission is to ensure that all students, regardless of their immigration status, have the opportunity to pursue higher education. The Virginia Dream Act provides qualifying immigrant students with access to in-state tuition rates, making higher education accessible to tens of thousands of students, including 87% of Dream Project scholars, and fostering economic growth for the entire Commonwealth.
In State Tuition Update
Just before the New Year, on Dec 29th 2025, the Trump administration took action to reverse a policy that since 2020 has allowed immigrant students meeting residency and other requirements in Virginia to access in-state tuition at Virginia colleges and universities. The next day, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares supported the Trump administration in a joint request to fast-track the reversal of this law—commonly known as the Virginia Dream Act.
Eliminating the Virginia Dream Act, which has helped students access higher education for years, would reverse decades of work of Virginia immigrant students and parents, volunteers, community leaders, advocacy groups, and lawmakers to ensure higher education is possible for all Virginia students.
I am proud to share that on December 31st, the Dream Project, represented by the ACLU and the Legal Aid Justice Center, filed a motion with the court to intervene against the Trump administration and the Virginia AG to defend the right to higher education for immigrant students, protect the will of Virginia voters, and preserve the mission of the Dream Project.
The Virginia Dream Act allows all students who attended Virginia high schools and whose families pay Virginia taxes to qualify for in-state tuition, regardless of immigration status. The stakes for Virginia students could not be higher. Should the Trump administration prevail, the affordability of a college education for current and future generations of Virginia students will be at risk. We believe many of our scholars would have to leave college as soon as this semester as their tuition costs at Virginia state universities would be exponentially higher, making tuition inaccessible.
Our students and their families are Virginia residents who pay taxes, work in our communities, and contribute economically to the welfare of the state. They are our neighbors and they have our protection and our support.
We believe that the incoming administration in Virginia that will be sworn in next week will protect immigrant student access to in-state tuition. In the meantime, with the support of our donors and partners and the students and families we serve, the Dream Project will continue to fight for our students and for access to higher education for all.
Zuraya Tapia-Hadley
Executive Director, Dream Project