With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Banning undocumented students from Head Start is illegal, ACLU argues in lawsuit
The ACLU and other groups are challenging the Trump administration's move to ban undocumented children from Head Start.
(
Cory Turner
/
NPR
)
Topline:
The American Civil Liberties Union and others have filed legal action against the Trump administration over a new policy that bans undocumented children from attending Head Start, the federally funded preschool program.
The backstory: Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that children without legal status could no longer attend the early education program, effective immediately. The program serves about 80,000 children in California. It has never required children to prove their immigration status in the 60 years it has existed, according to the National Head Start Association, and the federal government affirmed that right in a 1998 policy.
What’s new? Today, the ACLU and other groups filed a motion in an existing lawsuit over Head Start, in an attempt to stop the changes.
Support for LAist comes from
The impact: The announcement last week caused confusion among Head Start providers over how to implement the new rule. “We haven't seen official direction about what the expectations are for us as an administrator of the program,” said Donna Sneeringer, chief strategy officer at the Child Care Resource Center, which serves about 2,500 children in its Head Start programs in Los Angeles county. HHS said guidance would be forthcoming.
Fewer students: Head Start providers have told LAist there is already fear among communities around immigration enforcement and that they have seen lower enrollment or attendance numbers. “I think this is just another layer of concern and worry for parents and their very young children who don't know what the future holds for them,” Sneeringer said.
Corrected July 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM PDT
An earlier version of this story misattributed a quote to Sneeringer.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist