The Department of Justice sued Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday over a California measure that gives illegal immigrants access to in-state tuition benefits, marking the third lawsuit in one week that the department has brought against the high-profile Democratic governor.
The lawsuit, brought in the Eastern District of California, alleged that California’s education code caused out-of-state U.S. citizens to pay higher tuition rates at California’s schools than people living in the country illegally.
The attorneys called it “unequal treatment” that was “squarely” at odds with federal law, which states that people unlawfully living in the United States cannot be given tuition benefits based on residence that U.S. citizens are not also entitled to.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (AP Photo)
The DOJ has brought similar lawsuits in several other states, including Minnesota. That case there was put on hold for weeks because of the government shutdown.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, an elected Democrat, has moved to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing the DOJ is not properly reading the federal laws and that U.S. citizens do indeed have access to the same benefits as undocumented students.
Newsom has been hit with two other federal lawsuits this week, signaling an escalation in the Trump administration’s scrutiny of the possible 2028 contender and the nation’s most populous state.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stands during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Last week, the DOJ brought a complaint over California’s newly passed ballot measure that clears the way for the state legislature to use a map that shifts five congressional districts in favor of Democrats. This week, it sued over the state’s passage of legislation in September that banned immigration officials from wearing masks that conceal their identities.
“From racial gerrymandering, to undermining law enforcement, to discriminating against American students, Newsom has flagrantly disregarded federal law in his quest to ruin California,” a DOJ official told Fox News Digital. “We will see him in court as many times as necessary.”
On June 8, 2025, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck central Colombia, rattling major cities including Bogotá, Villavicencio, and parts of Medellín and Cali. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), the quake occurred at approximately 8:08 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near Paratebueno, Cundinamarca Department, at a depth of about 10 kilometers.
The event, though powerful, did not cause large-scale loss of life. However, it left communities shaken, damaged homes and infrastructure, and highlighted Colombia’s ongoing vulnerability to seismic activity.
Magnitude: 6.3 (USGS, SGC)
Date & Time: June 8, 2025, 8:08 a.m. local time (COT)
Epicenter: Near Paratebueno, Cundinamarca, around 187 km southeast of Bogotá
Depth: Approximately 10 km, considered shallow, which usually leads to stronger surface shaking
Aftershocks: Several moderate aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 4.0 to 4.6, were recorded in the hours following the main tremor
Shallow quakes like this one are particularly disruptive because seismic energy reaches the surface more quickly, amplifying the shaking in populated areas.
The strongest shaking was felt in Cundinamarca Department, particularly in Paratebueno and nearby municipalities. Reports from local authorities noted:
Structural damage to homes, schools, and public buildings
Road disruptions, with cracks appearing in some routes leading to affected towns
Evacuations in Bogotá, where office workers and residents temporarily left buildings
Communities in Meta Department, especially in Villavicencio, also reported noticeable tremors. The earthquake was felt across much of central Colombia, though the intensity decreased farther from the epicenter.
The Colombian Geological Service confirmed that, as of early reports:
No deaths were recorded directly linked to the earthquake
Several people sustained injuries, mostly from falling objects and minor structural collapses
Dozens of families near Paratebueno were displaced due to unsafe housing conditions
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) immediately deployed teams to assess structural damage and provide emergency support in the affected municipalities.
Colombian authorities responded swiftly to ensure public safety and to begin assessing long-term recovery needs. Key actions included:
Damage Assessments
Engineers inspected schools, hospitals, and residential areas in Cundinamarca and Meta. Some schools were temporarily closed pending structural evaluations.
Medical Support
Local hospitals treated those injured by falling debris. Additional medical staff were placed on standby in Bogotá and Villavicencio.
Infrastructure Repairs
Road crews worked to reopen affected highways. Electricity and telecommunications were briefly disrupted in certain areas but restored within hours.
Public Guidance
UNGRD urged residents to remain cautious of aftershocks, avoid entering damaged buildings, and follow official instructions.
The USGS and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the magnitude and depth of the quake. International agencies continue to monitor aftershocks in the region, which sits on complex fault systems connected to the Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American Plate.
Colombia is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active regions in the world. The country experiences frequent moderate to strong earthquakes due to the interaction of multiple tectonic plates, including:
Nazca Plate: Subducts beneath the South American Plate along Colombia’s Pacific coast
Caribbean Plate: Interacts with northern Colombia
Local Fault Systems: Such as the Eastern Frontal Fault System, which passes near the epicenter of this event
Historically, Colombia has experienced devastating earthquakes, including the 1999 Armenia earthquake (magnitude 6.2), which caused significant casualties and destruction in the Quindío region.
Experts emphasize that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, preparedness saves lives. The Colombian Geological Service and emergency agencies recommend:
During an earthquake: Drop, cover, and hold on; stay away from windows and heavy furniture.
After the shaking stops: Evacuate buildings safely, avoid damaged structures, and expect aftershocks.
Long-term preparedness: Secure heavy objects at home, create emergency kits, and participate in national earthquake drills (such as Colombia’s annual Simulacro Nacional).
These measures are particularly important in rural communities where infrastructure may be less resilient.
While this earthquake was not as catastrophic as some past events, the incident drew global attention. Colombian authorities received offers of technical assistance from international seismic monitoring organizations. Relief agencies also signaled readiness to assist communities most affected, especially if longer-term housing and infrastructure needs emerge.
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Cundinamarca serves as another reminder of Colombia’s seismic risks. Strengthening infrastructure resilience, enforcing modern building codes, and enhancing public education remain essential to minimizing risks in future events.
The government has pledged to provide financial support for reconstruction in Paratebueno and other affected municipalities. The recovery process will likely focus on:
Reinforcing public infrastructure like schools and hospitals
Providing temporary housing for displaced families
Improving communication systems to ensure rapid alerts for future quakes
The June 2025 Colombia earthquake—measuring 6.3 magnitude with its epicenter near Paratebueno, Cundinamarca—caused significant concern across central Colombia but, fortunately, did not result in widespread casualties. With injuries reported and infrastructure damaged, the quake underscores the importance of preparedness and resilient infrastructure in a seismically active nation.
As Colombia begins its recovery, the event highlights not only the vulnerability of communities in earthquake-prone regions but also their resilience and the importance of collective efforts in building safer, more prepared societies.