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A federal judge in the state of Washington has issued a nationwide block on a directive by the Trump administration, seeking to stop illegally funded by children in the US by enrolling in the head start.
After the coalition of the ruling 21 Democratic Attorney General, successfully stopped the implementation of policy in its own states. With this new prohibition, the policy is effectively in hold across the country.
Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the US Health and Human Services Department (HHS), said the agency “disagrees with court decisions and evaluating the next stages.”
Background of policy change
In July, HHS proposed a rearring of federal rules, which prevented immigrants in the country from reaching some social services illegally, including head starts and other community health programs.
These programs were accessible under the federal law established during the administration of President Bill Clinton.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior described the policy change in the form of an attempt to disintegrate illegal immigration by restricting access to federal benefits.
Judge’s decision and concerns
In issuing initial prohibitory orders, Judge Ricardo Martinez emphasized the long-standing interpretation of eligibility rules: “It resulted in the result of losing childcare, missing work, unemployment, forced dropouts, and inability to pay family expenses and support families.”
The judge said that the policy had threatened access to the families of services and did not see any justification for sudden change.
Impact on head start programs
Head start providers did not need to screen the immigration status of the first applicants, a point plaintiff argued that the program could reduce confidence in the program and reduce enrollment. Whose situation will be checked – the child, a careful, or any other house member – was added to a possible confusion.
Ming-QE Chu, a lawyer of the American Civil Liberty Union representing the plaintiff: “It has not been very sudden, with no transition plan. Policy changes threatened to disintegrate over 100,000 children from head start programs, historically play a big role in supporting immigrant families.”
Importance of Head Start
President Lindon B. Johnson was established six decades ago as part of the war on poverty, the head start serves children with more than half a million lower income across the country. The program has ended the interruption over the years, including federal grant freeze and temporary closure in the second term of President Trump.
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