AUSTIN (KXAN) — The US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Texas on Wednesday over a state law that allows undocumented residents to pay in-state tuition at the state's public universities.

By law, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office represents the state in cases involving the federal government. KXAN reached out to his office for a statement about the lawsuit.

The lawsuit cites a 1996 federal law, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IRRIRA), as preempting the 2001 Texas Dream Act.

As written, Texas' law allows undocumented immigrants residing in the state to access in-state tuition rates. Former Governor Rick Perry signed the Texas Dream Act, a decision that later served to derail his presidential ambitions in 2012.

"[Texas] had a ch

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