Trump Administration Withholds $612M Education Funding Across Multiple States

The Trump administration is withholding and proposing to eliminate federal funding for migrant education programs that support children of farmworkers and other agricultural workers, sparking concern across multiple states. Programs such as the College Assistance for Migrants Program (CAMP) and Migrant Education Student Academies, which provide scholarships, tutoring, and specialized classes to help migrant students succeed academically, face uncertain futures due to these funding freezes. In California alone, about $121 million in migrant education funds have been frozen, leading to legal action by the state. New Mexico representatives have also criticized the withholding of $612 million in education funds, warning it harms students, especially those struggling in reading and math, and could force schools to cut essential programs. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has announced a policy shift to restrict career, technical, and adult education programs funded federally to U.S. citizens and qualified noncitizens, explicitly excluding illegal immigrants from these benefits under the administration’s interpretation of federal law. This move aligns with President Trump’s broader efforts to limit federal benefits to legal residents and citizens, raising concerns about access to education for migrant and immigrant communities.