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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No papers, no preschool: 21 states sue Trump over immigrant service ban
A political firestorm has erupted as 21 Democratic attorneys general have taken the Trump administration to court over what they call a brutal assault on community safety nets. The lawsuit, filed Monday, targets new federal restrictions that deny access to key services—such as Head Start, public health clinics, and adult education—to immigrants without legal status. Spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the coalition argues the administration bypassed legal protocols and is imposing changes that will not only devastate immigrant families but jeopardize essential services for American citizens as well. 'These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion,' James said in a statement. 'This is a baseless attack on some of our country's most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand.' From care to compliance The rule changes, announced jointly by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, and Justice, represent a stark reversal of Clinton-era policies that allowed community-based programs to serve families regardless of immigration status. Now, providers receiving federal funds must check documentation before offering support. This shift places enormous burdens on local organizations, many of which run on razor-thin budgets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The lawsuit warns, 'It is likely that for some programs, the costs of compliance will be so high as to lead to the programs' closure.' Programs like Head Start, which provide preschool education, child care, and developmental services to homeless or impoverished families, have historically never required proof of immigration status. The new demand for verification, they argue, could unravel decades of progress in early childhood intervention. Collateral damage: American families The coalition's legal brief doesn't just highlight harm to undocumented individuals, it paints a broader picture of widespread fallout. Schools, mental health centers, addiction treatment clinics, and domestic violence hotlines, all partially federally funded, could see services disrupted or defunded due to their inability to verify immigration status quickly or legally. Such mandates, the lawsuit argues, are not only unrealistic but dangerous. By forcing organizations to act as de facto immigration agents, the administration risks driving vulnerable populations underground, including American citizens in mixed-status families. Legality in question Central to the lawsuit is a pointed accusation: that the administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act by circumventing the required rulemaking process and failing to provide public notice or invite stakeholder input. Legal experts warn that if this move goes unchallenged, it could open the door to unchecked executive overreach, where vital federal funds come with ever-changing political strings attached. Ideology over infrastructure Supporters of the administration say the rules simply ensure taxpayer dollars are used lawfully. But critics argue this isn't about budgets, it's about political messaging. With the 2024 immigration debate still reverberating through Washington, this move appears aimed at energizing a base that equates enforcement with exclusion. In doing so, the administration risks dismantling local programs that serve as lifelines for the country's poorest and most marginalized communities. What comes next As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of countless community organizations hangs in the balance. If the rules are enforced, many may be forced to shut their doors, not because they failed in mission, but because they couldn't meet the paperwork. This isn't just a dispute about funding. It's a confrontation over values: Whether America's public services exist to uplift or to divide, to include or to exclude. For millions of families, citizen and non-citizen alike, the outcome of this case may decide more than policy. It may decide survival. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawsuit challenges restrictions on Head Start for kids in the US illegally
WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of 21 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Trump administration's restrictions on social services for immigrants in the country illegally, including the federal preschool program Head Start, health clinics and adult education. Individual public benefits, such as food stamps and college financial aid, have been largely unavailable to people in the country without legal status, but the new rules and guidance from the administration curbed their access to community-level programs that receive federal money. The lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James argues the government failed to follow the rulemaking process and did not provide required notice on conditions placed on federal funds. It also argues the changes will create significant harm. 'These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion,' James said in a statement. 'This is a baseless attack on some of our country's most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand.' The rule changes rescinded a Clinton-era interpretation of federal laws on immigrants ' access to services. The restrictions were announced jointly earlier this month by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Education Department, the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice. Implementing immigration documentation checks would place a significant burden on programs and in some cases would be unrealistic, the lawsuit said. The extra work would likely affect services provided by these programs to U.S. citizens, who are often from low-income backgrounds and depend on the services for health and education, the lawsuit said. Head Start, a federal preschool program that provides developmental therapy, child care and preschool to families who are homeless or in poverty, has not asked participants to verify their immigration status in the past. Some Head Start providers said they do not have the staff or resources to begin implementing such screening. 'It is likely that for some programs, the costs of compliance will be so high as to lead to the programs' closure,' the lawsuit said. 'Many Head Start programs are small entities that operate on razor-thin margins and are likely to close if facing a significant administrative burden.' Other community-level programs affected by the rule change include mental health services in schools, crisis hotlines and substance use disorder treatment. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Solve the daily Crossword
Axios
4 days ago
- Health
- Axios
States sue over citizenship curbs on Head Start, clinics
Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and D.C. are suing the Trump administration over a policy change that restricted undocumented immigrants' access to community health centers, Head Start and other services they've used for decades. The big picture: The AGs argue the changes put key social safety net programs at risk of closing. "Many programs cannot realistically conduct verification at the door, such as 24/7 crisis hotlines, emergency services for individuals suffering an overdose, and homeless shelters," the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island states. If the programs could verifify status, many people who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents wouldn't be able to produce government ID, the AGs note. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration violated administrative law when it changed a longstanding interpretation of a Clinton-era law addressing which federal programs could and couldn't serve undocumented immigrants. It asks the judge to declare the policy change unconstitutional and halt its implementation. In addition to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the AGs are also suing the secretaries of Education, Justice and Labor, whose departments released similar notices this month. What they're saying: "For decades, states like New York have built health, education, and family support systems that serve anyone in need," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. "These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion." "This is a baseless attack on some of our country's most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand," she added. HHS referred Axios to its announcement of the policy change when asked for comment on the lawsuit.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lawsuit challenges restrictions on Head Start for kids in the US illegally
WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of 21 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Trump administration's restrictions on social services for immigrants in the country illegally, including the federal preschool program Head Start, health clinics and adult education. Individual public benefits, such as food stamps and college financial aid, have been largely unavailable to people in the country without legal status, but the new rules and guidance from the administration curbed their access to community-level programs that receive federal money. The lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James argues the government failed to follow the rulemaking process and did not provide required notice on conditions placed on federal funds. It also argues the changes will create significant harm. 'These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion,' James said in a statement. 'This is a baseless attack on some of our country's most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand.' The rule changes rescinded a Clinton-era interpretation of federal laws on immigrants ' access to services. The restrictions were announced jointly earlier this month by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Education Department, the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice. Implementing immigration documentation checks would place a significant burden on programs and in some cases would be unrealistic, the lawsuit said. The extra work would likely affect services provided by these programs to U.S. citizens, who are often from low-income backgrounds and depend on the services for health and education, the lawsuit said. Head Start, a federal preschool program that provides developmental therapy, child care and preschool to families who are homeless or in poverty, has not asked participants to verify their immigration status in the past. Some Head Start providers said they do not have the staff or resources to begin implementing such screening. 'It is likely that for some programs, the costs of compliance will be so high as to lead to the programs' closure,' the lawsuit said. 'Many Head Start programs are small entities that operate on razor-thin margins and are likely to close if facing a significant administrative burden.' Other community-level programs affected by the rule change include mental health services in schools, crisis hotlines and substance use disorder treatment. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Lawsuit challenges restrictions on Head Start for kids in the US illegally
WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of 21 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Trump administration's restrictions on social services for immigrants in the country illegally, including the federal preschool program Head Start, health clinics and adult education. Individual public benefits, such as food stamps and college financial aid, have been largely unavailable to people in the country without legal status, but the new rules and guidance from the administration curbed their access to community-level programs that receive federal money. The lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James argues the government failed to follow the rulemaking process and did not provide required notice on conditions placed on federal funds. It also argues the changes will create significant harm. 'These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion,' James said in a statement. 'This is a baseless attack on some of our country's most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand.' The rule changes rescinded a Clinton-era interpretation of federal laws on immigrants ' access to services. The restrictions were announced jointly earlier this month by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Education Department, the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice. Implementing immigration documentation checks would place a significant burden on programs and in some cases would be unrealistic, the lawsuit said. The extra work would likely affect services provided by these programs to U.S. citizens, who are often from low-income backgrounds and depend on the services for health and education, the lawsuit said. Head Start, a federal preschool program that provides developmental therapy, child care and preschool to families who are homeless or in poverty, has not asked participants to verify their immigration status in the past. Some Head Start providers said they do not have the staff or resources to begin implementing such screening. 'It is likely that for some programs, the costs of compliance will be so high as to lead to the programs' closure,' the lawsuit said. 'Many Head Start programs are small entities that operate on razor-thin margins and are likely to close if facing a significant administrative burden.' Other community-level programs affected by the rule change include mental health services in schools, crisis hotlines and substance use disorder treatment. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
