California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 20 other attorneys general, has announced an agreement that temporarily halts the Trump Administration from altering eligibility requirements for certain federal public benefit programs based on immigration status until September 3, 2025. This move comes after the coalition filed a lawsuit earlier this week challenging the administration’s decision to reverse longstanding federal practices that allowed access to these benefits regardless of immigration status.
The programs affected include Head Start, childcare services for low-income individuals, adult education, mental health and substance use disorder programs, and shelters for at-risk youth and domestic violence survivors. The coalition is seeking a court order to prevent the implementation of these changes during the litigation process.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “The Trump Administration threw Head Start and other social safety net programs into chaos when it abruptly reversed nearly three decades of federal law and policy that opened these programs up to all.” He added that with the new agreement, families relying on these critical programs can feel more secure. “California will not back down in the fight to protect access to these programs that help ensure that our communities thrive.”
A copy of the stipulation related to this agreement is available for public access.
