Welcome to SEARAC’s special edition newsletter providing policy highlights from the first 100 days of the Trump Administration. We will be sharing updates on the actions of the new administration and US Congress that impact Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs).
In this edition, we have included analyses of these policies’ impacts to California, where SEARAC has an office that leads state-level policy advocacy and coalition-building.
Check out our previous policy newsletters:
Feb. 18 edition
Feb. 3 edition
If you have questions or want to learn more about any of the policies that SEARAC is tracking, contact us at searac@searac.org.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND AGENCY POLICIES
The new administration continued its strategy of overreach, illegality, chaos, and fear-mongering by issuing more harmful executive orders (EOs). EOs are written orders by the president that do not require approval by Congress.
Read our analysis of key EOs and actions we are monitoring below:
EOs limiting access to education
What do these EOs do:
Dismantle the US Department of Education
What does this mean: On March 20, President Trump signed an EO to shut down the US Department of Education (ED). The administration had already fired half of ED’s workforce on March 11, effectively gutting the agency.
Who will this primarily impact: This is an attack on children, students, and families. The ED distributes essential funding to educate low-income children and children with disabilities, as well as financial assistance to low-income students so that they can attain a college education or career training. Although laws bar the federal government from interfering with local curricula, interruptions or cuts to federal education funding will create teacher shortages, affect special education programs and assistance for underserved students, and even result in school closures. The ED is also an important civil rights agency; it enforces civil rights laws to protect students from discrimination and ensure that all students can fully participate in and benefit from education. Getting rid of the ED isn’t about getting rid of unnecessary bureaucracy, it’s about cutting off access to education to millions of students, including SEAA students. Read SEARAC’s statement here.
What is the impact on CA: While the total proportion of federal funds that go to California schools is relatively small, billions of dollars are still at risk. Amid rising school closures and potential teacher layoffs, including in school districts with a significant number of SEAA students, losing this funding will harm already under-resourced schools, low-income students, and students with disabilities, among others.
Attack schools for promoting educational opportunity for students of all backgrounds
What does this mean: What does this mean: As a follow-up to a Feb. 14 memo (which we wrote about in our last newsletter), the Trump administration released an FAQ document that further limits access to education. The FAQ inaccurately tries to expand the US Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in the SFFA v. Harvard case, which only limited colleges and universities from considering a student’s race alone for admissions, particularly selective institutions. However, all colleges and universities must still ensure they create accessible and inclusive campuses that prepare students of color and all students to succeed. Furthermore, higher education institutions and K-12 public schools are still responsible for providing learning environments where all students feel respected, safe, and supported. This includes curricula that are inclusive of the diversity of American histories and experiences, inclusive and accessible programming, and following civil rights laws.
What is the impact on CA: Since 1996, Proposition 209 effectively banned affirmative action in California. Despite changes toward more holistic assessments for admission, diversity has decreased significantly in higher education institutions. During K-12, a new state law now requires high school students to complete an ethnic studies course before graduation. Tony Thurmond, the state Superintendent of Public Education, is currently engaged in legal and legislative efforts against federal threats, to uphold civil rights and diversity in schools and ensure backup funding for education.
EOs denying immigrants and refugees access to public services
What do these EOs do:
Scare individuals away from public benefits for which they are eligible
What does this mean: An EO signed on Feb. 19 acts as though it restricts federally funded programs from being accessed by people who are undocumented. However, the EO does not change eligibility for federally funded public benefits programs or how they are administered; people who are undocumented are already ineligible for most federal public benefits. The few public benefits that undocumented individuals are eligible for are almost always backed up by federal law, which an EO cannot change. This EO does not change immigrant families’ eligibility for public benefits like Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, or housing programs, and it is designed to frighten immigrant families from accessing the benefits to which they are entitled. If you are concerned, speak with a trusted community-based organization to learn more and get the facts for your family.
What is the impact on CA: California has a significant immigrant population. Harmful messages and threats may discourage immigrants from accessing public benefits. Most public benefits are safe to use, including CalFresh, disaster relief, and financial aid for college. Beginning in 2024, all income-eligible undocumented immigrants have access to health care through Medi-Cal in California. Immigrant families should be encouraged to continue applying for government benefits that they are eligible for.
Decrease language access
What does this mean: On March 1, the Trump Administration released an EO establishing English as the official language of the United States. The EO also rescinded a Clinton-era policy that has improved access to federal programs and services for individuals who are LEP. While the EO does not prevent federal agencies from continuing to provide translation and interpreting services if they choose to, it no longer requires agencies to improve in-language program and service access.
Who will this primarily impact: This EO could have significant impact on SEAA communities, including decreasing access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health and mental health care; increasing public hostility against non-English language support; and reducing long-term federal support for in-language translations and interpretation.
What is the impact on CA: California is home to the largest limited English proficient (LEP) population in the United States. Existing law requires every state department to employ enough bilingual staff to ensure information and services are provided in the preferred language of LEP individuals when certain thresholds are met. In 2023, the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) adopted its first comprehensive agency-wide Language Access Policy and its Departments and Offices have posted Language Access Plans on their public websites. There are also CA laws related to language access for voting, state courts, and certain insurance benefits.
EOs and agency policies attacking Americans who are immigrants and refugees
What do these EOs do:
- In California, ICE raids have happened across the state and hundreds of Asian immigrants have been deported to unfamiliar countries. Under state law, it is illegal for state and local law enforcement to participate in most immigration enforcement activities. Many California sheriffs have explicitly affirmed that they will abide by state law, but some intend to cooperate with ICE to varying degrees. The response from many counties is also unclear. There have been reports of deceptive arrest tactics, civil rights violations, and enforcement on documented individuals.
- On March 15, President Trump invoked The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, an archaic wartime law giving the federal government broad power to detain and deport people. The EO, which is already being challenged in court, directs the arrest, detention, and deportation of Venezuelan nationals suspected of gang affiliation without a hearing or a chance to defend themselves in court. The law was designed to be used only in times of declared war or invasion by a foreign nation. In response, Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of SEARAC, shared:
CONGRESSIONAL ACTIONS
Budget reconciliation
In February, both the House and Senate passed their versions of a budget resolution. This is the first step in a legislative process called budget reconciliation, which allows the Senate to approve changes to laws with only 50 votes, rather than the usual 60 votes.
What does this mean: Each chamber has passed a different budget resolution. Both versions would spend hundreds of billions of dollars on immigration enforcement. The House version also proposes huge cuts to Medicaid and tax cuts for the wealthy. President Trump and Congressional Republicans are forcing a devastating trade-off: fewer resources for health care, education, children, and working families in exchange for traumatizing raids in schools, churches, hospitals, and neighborhoods.
What is the timeline: In order for the reconciliation process to continue, the House and Senate need to agree on one budget resolution, which contains topline policy and spending targets. Afterward, House and Senate committees will create detailed plans to increase or cut spending according to the overall spending goals set by the budget resolution. This process is expected to start in April and will move quickly.
What is the impact on CA: Should federal cuts to health care advance, the 17 million Californians who depend on Medicaid (known in the state as Medi-Cal) or use Covered California (created by the Affordable Care Act) are at risk of losing coverage or increased rates, especially low-income and refugee/immigrant families. Investments to immigration enforcement will also increase the number of detention centers in California, putting more immigrants at risk of civil rights violations and deportations.
