Illinois and Wisconsin participate in a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from laying off employees at the Department of Education.

WASHINGTON — An alliance of states led by Democrats is contesting the extensive layoffs carried out by the Education Department under the Trump administration, arguing that it constitutes an unlawful dismantling of a department established by Congress.

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A federal lawsuit was filed on Thursday in Massachusetts by Illinois and Wisconsin, along with 20 other states and Washington, D.C., claiming that the layoffs are so drastic that the department is now “incapable of functioning and meeting its legal obligations.”

The lawsuit contends that the cuts will lead to a reduction or postponement of federal funding for public schools, as well as hinder the department’s ability to oversee college financial aid and uphold civil rights regulations in schools, among other negative effects.

A department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The department has insisted previously it will continue to deliver on its statutory obligations, despite the cuts.

Some Education Department employees have left through buyout offers and the termination of probationary employees. After a layoff of 1,300 people announced Tuesday, the department will sit at roughly half the 4,100 it had when President Donald Trump took office.

Trump has repeatedly said he wants the agency shut down, calling it wasteful and overly influenced by liberal thinking.

The suit says only Congress has the power close the department or dismantle its core work.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said the cuts will impair necessary services for students and families.

“This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal. Today I am taking action to stop the madness and protect our schools and the students who depend on them,” James said.

The following states are involved in the suit: New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

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