This bill creates a competitive grant program at the U.S. Department of Education to help students, families, and school staff affected by immigration enforcement actions. Eligible recipients include local school districts, public schools, Head Start and pre-K programs, colleges, community nonprofits, and legal service providers. Grants may last up to 3 years and can be renewed. Allowed uses include hiring or expanding bilingual counselors and school mental health staff; providing emergency assistance (transportation, food, clothing, temporary shelter, and help navigating legal services, including some administrative or court fees); in-school and community mental health services; curriculum and inclusion work; training for school staff on trauma-informed and culturally responsive care; and partnerships with legal and community organizations to deliver Know Your Rights services and family supports. The Secretary of Education will set selection criteria and may prioritize applicants in communities experiencing immigration enforcement or with high populations of affected individuals. The bill also limits collection or disclosure of personally identifiable immigration or citizenship information except where another federal law or a court order requires it, requires grantees to comply with FERPA and Title VI, and prohibits denying services based on actual or perceived immigration status.
The bill authorizes $250,000,000 to be appropriated for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031. The Secretary may reserve up to 5 percent of funds made available to carry out the program for evaluation, oversight, monitoring, and technical assistance. No publicly available information on estimated total cost, appropriations actions, or a Congressional Budget Office score is included in the bill text and metadata.
The bill’s stated purposes are to provide emergency resources to eligible entities, ensure schools remain safe, trauma-informed learning environments for all students (including those affected by immigration enforcement), affirm the right to free public education regardless of immigration status, reduce absenteeism and academic decline tied to enforcement-related trauma and instability, and support educators and staff in responding to affected students and families.
No publicly available information.