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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is reversing many years of federal coverage to exclude undocumented kids from the federal preschool program Head Begin, in its newest assault on immigrants within the US.
Who might be affected? Youngsters with out authorized immigration standing might be instantly excluded from this system below Thursday’s announcement, however the affect might be broader. Because the Nationwide Head Begin Affiliation wrote in response to the information, “Makes an attempt to impose such a requirement threaten to create concern and confusion amongst all households who’re centered on elevating wholesome kids, prepared to reach college and life.”
What does Head Begin do? Head Begin is an early childhood schooling program for low-income and homeless kids between the ages of three and 5, run on the nationwide degree by the Division of Well being and Human Providers however largely administered on the native degree. Amongst different advantages, it additionally supplies diet help for enrolled kids and, crucially, dependable baby care for his or her dad and mom.
Why is the coverage altering? Because the schooling publication Chalkbeat identified, this alteration matches with a deliberate technique by the Trump administration to make life tougher for undocumented immigrants and power them to self-deport. In February, President Donald Trump signed an government order directing the federal government to exclude undocumented immigrants from extra packages.
What else did HHS change? Thursday’s announcement doesn’t simply affect Head Begin, however at the very least 12 different packages, together with psychological well being and substance abuse help, that the administration is now reclassifying as “federal public advantages” with the intention to exclude undocumented immigrants.
What’s the massive image? Information on the advantages of early childhood schooling is sophisticated, as my colleague Kelsey Piper has reported — however analysis means that it may have a optimistic lifelong affect on outcomes for kids. The Trump administration’s determination excludes a bunch of youngsters younger sufficient that they could know no different house than the US from these advantages.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
The pygmy hippo Moo Deng, who turned a worldwide sensation final 12 months for her puckish antics, turned 1 on Thursday and celebrated with a “cake” product of vegetables and fruit. Final 12 months, my colleague Li Zhou examined what makes Moo Deng and her friends on the earth of viral child animals so fashionable — it’s an amazing piece that additionally incorporates a very fluffy penguin chick and a child beaver. I hope you give it a learn, and if there are some other child animals who’ve stolen your coronary heart lately, I’d like to see photographs. Have an amazing weekend!
