Legal Question in Discrimination Law in California

I live in California and I am on a student visa. My university told me today that the payment plan they have to pay for tuition in several installments is only available to domestic students and that international students have to pay in full. There is nothing on the website that mentions that. The director of the international office told me that their policy doesn't allow international students to pay in several times. I believe that this is discrimination, as there is nothing that differentiates me from a US citizen / Permanent Resident. They make more money on us anyway, so it's just a money issue. In order to get the paper to apply for a visa we have to prove that we have enough funds. But that doesn't mean that one can release the entirety of this sum in one time. Is this legal at all? It gives a different treatment based on immigration status. We are all legal and we are being treated differently.


Asked on 6/10/11, 10:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

Immigrant status is not a protected class and numerous laws favor citizens over non-citizens, so do not think you have any chance as to a discrimination argument. You might have a contract argument that they lead you to believe reasonably that you could pay in installments, you relied to your detriment, so they are estopped [legally prevented] from enforcing a rule at this late date. Re-post to contracts and immigration law sections your question directed toward the facts of the case in that light [give all the facts as to when you wre told of the rule, basis for believing could pay in installments, etc.]

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Answered on 6/11/11, 4:32 am


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