Kentucky AG Files Lawsuit Against Fox News Digital
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has initiated a lawsuit against Fox News Digital, a move he discussed during an interview on Thursday. This follows a prior lawsuit by Attorney General Pam Bondi concerning in-state tuition fees for illegal immigrants in Kentucky.
According to Coleman, the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education agreed to modify state policy two months after the Justice Department commenced legal action regarding state law provisions 13 KAR 2:045.
The lawsuit claims that Kentucky’s approach contravenes USC 1623, stating that individuals who are not legally residing in the United States cannot receive postsecondary education benefits, such as in-state tuition, unless those same benefits are also extended to U.S. citizens.
Initially, the defendant was identified as Kentucky Governor Andrew Beshear, but his office clarified that the Kentucky Legislature operates independently of the governor’s oversight.
Coleman noted that the governor is involved in appointing members to the council. He stressed, “Current federal law prohibits illegal immigrants from accessing postsecondary education benefits, including lower tuition, unless these benefits are offered to all U.S. citizens.” Bondi echoed this sentiment, insisting that giving such benefits to undocumented individuals undermines the rights of American citizens.
In his comments, Coleman indicated that no agreement could be finalized until a federal district judge officially approved it. He expressed a level of disbelief about the situation, citing references from books by Harry Potter and Roald Dahl to illustrate how nonsensical the policy seems.
Coleman remarked that the original policy of providing educational benefits to non-citizens may inadvertently attract individuals from other states with less favorable conditions. He mentioned a “consent decision” regarding the complaint but had not yet formally commented on the judge’s consent agreement.
A spokesman for Beshear previously emphasized that the governor has no say over KCPE, yet Coleman appeared uncertain about this matter. He acknowledged that while Beshear appoints most members of the KCPE, there seems to be a disconnect in how responsibilities are perceived.
As a former U.S. attorney, Coleman argued that both Bondi and the Trump administration should not disregard the state’s tuition policies for illegal immigrants. He praised KCPE for adhering to the law but expressed regret that it took federal pressure and the state’s top legal authority for this to occur.
Coleman emphasized that those responsible for educational policy must prioritize the needs of legal residents. He also expressed hope that Bondi would continue her efforts against similar policies in over a dozen other states.
“I hope to see a return to common sense in protecting our values,” he added, indicating a desire to ensure that the best educational opportunities are available to those who comply with legal standards.
Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives from the Kentucky Legislature and the Department of Justice for further comments.
