On July 1, the Trump administration withheld $810 million from California schools, significantly impacting the educational programs offered to students, families, and teachers. The Migrant Education Program (MEP) provides critical support to migrant students through academic tutoring, after-school programs, health services, preschool programs, and more. Since the approval of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” budget cuts have targeted public education, forcing a temporary shutdown of the MEP just weeks before the new academic year begins.
A document released by the White House outlines plans to end the “$428 million program devoted to advancing the education of [migrant students].” In the document, President Trump claims these programs promote a “radical diversity, equity, and inclusion” agenda. He recently signed executive orders eliminating DEI programs across both the public and private sectors, arguing that such initiatives are illegal.
As President Trump continues to cut educational funding that could severely harm students across California, Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the administration. Bonta, along with 23 other attorneys general, argues that the federal freeze on education grants is unconstitutional. They claim it violates federal funding statutes and regulations, undermines the constitutional separation of powers, and breaches the Presentment Clause. The coalition is seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the Department of Education and the President from continuing this course of action.
Attorney General Bonta warned, “By freezing billions of dollars in educational funding, it threatens the existence of programs that provide critical after-school and summer learning opportunities to students.” The lawsuit emphasizes that the administration’s actions “jeopardize these critical programs and will irreparably cause harm to states, schools, and the students and families they serve.” In Kern County alone, the cuts are expected to affect approximately 5,000 students by dismantling the Migrant Education Program.
Bonta also acknowledged that many summer and after-school programs have already felt the impact of these cuts. These services often double as childcare for working families, providing essential support beyond academics.
Kern Sol News reached out to several school districts in Kern County to learn how the cuts are affecting local students.
“At the Bakersfield City School District, our focus—now and always—is on supporting our students by providing the essential services they need to learn, grow, and thrive. This unwavering commitment continues to guide every step of our planning and decision-making,” said Tabatha Mills, Chief Communications Coordinator for the Bakersfield City School District. “At this time, we are still awaiting further guidance from the state. Generally, federal funding flows through the state before being distributed to individual school districts.”
