As a private school, Tufts is not obligated to report violations of (immigration) law to federal authorities. If Tufts wants to consider illegal immigrants as “domestic applicants”, that’s their own business. It’s their money, they can even pay for tuition for illegal immigrants if they so choose, and they have so chosen:
Tufts University announced Tuesday it will “proactively and openly” recruit undocumented students and offer financial aid to eligible students, a clear declaration that immigration advocates hailed as a significant victory.
Under the new policy, the private university will consider all students in the country illegally as regular domestic applicants, eligible for the same university aid as US citizens. Because undocumented students are ineligible for federal financial aid, the university will make up the difference out of its own funds for students who cannot afford to pay their own way.
“In keeping with our current undergraduate financial aid policy, Tufts will meet 100 percent of the demonstrated need of every undocumented student offered undergraduate admission to Tufts,” the university said in a statement.
I would be interested in seeing how Tufts’ endowment changes over the next several years if this policy continues.