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New rule bars undocumented kids from Head Start child care
A high school student teacher leads preschool students in an art activity.
(
Allison Shelley
/
The Verbatim Age
)
The Trump administration is barring undocumented immigrant children from Head Start child care, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday.
Head Start serves 73,476 children from low-income families in California, according to an EdSource analysis. It is unclear how many of those children may be undocumented because the programs have never required documentation of immigration status as a condition of enrollment, according to the National Head Start Association.
In announcing the changes, Kennedy said, “For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans’ tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration.”
(Update, July 16: The ACLU and other groups have taken legal action to challenge the Trump administration's policy to bar children without legal status from Head Start programs. Read more.)
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The departments of Education and Labor also announced that they are barring undocumented immigrants from federal career and technical education and adult education programs.
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Families can get notified when services reach their area and whether they qualify. -
Down south, a group of bagel makers is quietly generating excitement in the bagel-verse. -
The spending plan would gut prevention, outreach and supportive services to maintain temporary shelter beds and absorb rate increases previously covered by other funding sources.
Undocumented immigrants are already barred from using most federal programs, but a 1998 notice allowed them to access some benefits for low-income families with young children.
The National Head Start Association issued a statement of “alarm” in response.
“Attempts to impose such a requirement threaten to create fear and confusion among all families who are focused on raising healthy children, ready to succeed in school and life,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the association.
Advocates and educators are concerned that the announcement could deter some parents from enrolling their U.S. citizen children in Head Start.
“We guarantee every kid an education in this country, regardless of status,” Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, told the L.A. Times. “That shouldn’t be different in terms of early education, and certainly not when it comes to Head Start.”
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The announcement is expected to be published in the Federal Registry on July 14, at which point the public will be able to submit comments for 30 days.
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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.
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