Trump policy affecting immigrant children suspended

Photo of Jimmy Jiménez in Unsplash

A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked a directive from former President Donald Trump's administration that sought to restrict access by immigrant families, both legal and undocumented, to federally funded health and social services programs.

The ruling, issued by Judge Ricardo Martinez of the Western District of Washington, requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately reinstate its previous policy allowing immigrant families to participate in programs such as Head Start, a preschool education service for children under five.

Trump's measure, implemented last July, was based on a reinterpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA, 1996), which regulates which federal benefits immigrants can receive. Under this restrictive interpretation, undocumented immigrants were excluded from multiple state and local support programs.

Reactions of immigrant rights advocates

The court decision was welcomed by civil society organizations.

“Today the court was clear: HHS does not have the authority to impose an immigration-based restriction on Head Start families,” said Jennesa Calvo-Friedman, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Women’s Rights Project.

The attorney emphasized that “no child or family should be afraid of accessing essential early learning services like Head Start.”

21-state lawsuit

The case came to court after a coalition of 21 states sued HHS, arguing that the policy violated both federal law and the rights of immigrant children. With the suspension, those benefits remain available while the underlying litigation is resolved.

The ruling represents a setback for Trump's immigration policy and a victory for immigrant families, who depend on these services to ensure their children's well-being and early education.

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Sources:

• EFE