· Missoulian · By Associated Press · From the Border Crossing Law Firm media archive.
This report explains the Montana Board of Regents' position that LR-121's proof-of-citizenship requirements did not apply to university students because the state constitution gives the regents exclusive control of the university system. The university system said it already verified residency for tuition purposes, while the Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance agreed that higher education should be outside the law's reach.
The dispute shows that LR-121 raised questions not only about immigration and individual rights, but also about the constitutional independence of Montana's university system. It was one part of the broader legal challenge led by Shahid and the Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance.