Trump’s Student Visa Crackdown: Fear Grips Campuses

US Education Policy Changes Spark Fear and Uncertainty in California Adult Schools

New federal policies targeting immigrants are creating significant upheaval in California’s adult education system, potentially impacting thousands of students seeking to improve their English skills or gain valuable career training. The changes, stemming from the US Department of Education, aim to restrict access to federally funded programs for adult students without legal residency. This includes career technical education classes, English language programs, and high school equivalency courses – programs crucial for many immigrants seeking to integrate into the workforce and community.

The policy shift has triggered legal action from California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, who is challenging the legality of the restrictions. Concerns are growing among school administrators and educators about the potential impact on enrolment numbers and the administrative burden of implementing the new rules.

The Core of the Issue: Federal Funding Restrictions

The US Department of Education’s stance is that federal funding should not be used to support the education of individuals who are not legal residents or citizens. This position is outlined in a recent memo that has sent shockwaves through the adult education sector. The department plans to enforce these changes, raising fears about the future of these crucial programs.

Challenges for Adult Schools and Students

One of the most pressing issues is the difficulty in determining students’ legal status. Adult schools in California generally do not require students to provide proof of legal residency upon enrolment. Many students, including US citizens, may lack the necessary documentation. This creates a significant administrative challenge for schools tasked with enforcing the new policy.

Randy Tillery, from the nonprofit WestEd, highlights the potential for the new policy to create an atmosphere of fear and distrust within the schools. Students may be hesitant to enrol or attend classes if they fear their immigration status will be scrutinised.

A Student’s Perspective: Fear and Uncertainty

The anxieties surrounding the new policy are very real for students like V., who attends English classes at Huntington Beach Adult School. Lacking legal status, V. now lives with constant fear of deportation. Her children, all US citizens, have begged her not to attend classes, fearing she might not return home.

This fear led V. to initially switch to online classes, but she found it difficult to concentrate at home with constant interruptions. Despite her anxieties and her children’s concerns, she eventually returned to in-person classes, highlighting the importance she places on her education.

Steve Curiel, the principal of Huntington Beach Adult School, has stated that the school is currently allowing all students to attend classes, pending further guidance from federal and state agencies.

Financial Implications and Legal Battles

The uncertainty surrounding the federal policy extends to funding. Federal funding typically provides a significant portion of adult schools’ budgets. The Education Department initially withheld these funds, prompting legal action from Attorney General Bonta. While the department has since stated that it will release the funds, the lawsuit is still ongoing.

Curiel expressed relief at the prospect of receiving the funding but remains cautious until the funds are actually received. He had been preparing to make cuts to contracts at Huntington Adult School but is now holding off, hoping the funding situation will be resolved.

California’s Unique Position

California benefits from a state-funded adult education program, providing over $650 million annually. This provides a financial buffer compared to other states that rely solely on federal funding for English language learning and high school equivalency programs.

Impact on High School Students

The policy changes also have the potential to affect high school students, particularly those enrolled in career technical education programs. The Department of Education memo states that federal funding for these programs should be restricted to students who are legal residents or citizens.

This could create a difficult situation for school districts, as they typically do not inquire about students’ legal status. Implementing the policy would require schools to gather data on students’ residency status, potentially deterring some students from attending school altogether.

The U.S. Supreme Court case Plyer v. Doe guarantees all students, regardless of their legal status, the right to a basic public education. However, the Education Department argues that career technical classes are no longer considered part of a basic education, and that children without legal status are now prohibited from taking college-level courses in high school.

The Human Cost

For students like V., education is about more than just personal advancement; it’s about family. V. wants to improve her English skills so she can better communicate with her daughter, who prefers to speak English. Despite the risks and anxieties, she continues to attend classes, driven by her desire to support her children.

“We’re not living our own lives,” V. says. “We’re living for our children.” This sentiment underscores the profound impact of the policy changes on immigrant families and the importance of adult education in their lives.