The chilling effect of executive orders on education

President Trump has signed 100 executive orders before even reaching the first 100 days of his second term, marking an aggressive effort to slash education funding and limit federal oversight. While executive orders cannot create new laws, they dictate how federal agencies enforce existing ones, creating a chilling effect that has forced education leaders to shut down initiatives out of fear of legal and political repercussions.  

President Trump’s efforts not only contradict the priorities of Latino voters and the nation’s foundational values of freedom and equal opportunity, but they have also resulted in rolling back resources and rights that all students, especially those from low-income, immigrant and multilingual families, rely on.  

With so much activity taking place, how can we understand the full scope and impact of these executive orders on Latino students?  

Through seven executive orders, the Trump administration has attempted to:  

• Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.  

• Suppress language assistance and access.  

• Undermine diversity and inclusion.  

• Undermine honest history and student support.  

• Allow immigration enforcement in schools.  

• Eliminate the Latino-focused White House initiative. 

• Slash funding to Hispanic-serving institutions.  

Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education  

What happened? On March 20, 2025, the Trump administration signed one of the most alarming executive orders, one that seeks to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.  

Why is this alarming? While only Congress can officially dissolve any federal agency, the Trump administration is attempting to gut the Department of Education’s core functions by:
 

• Defunding critical programs — eliminating nearly half of the Department of Education’s workforce and cutting millions in funding for research and student support. 
• Making schools less safe — forcing families into costly legal battles to protect students from discrimination based on race, ability, gender or home language by moving the Office of Civil Rights out of the Department of Education. 

• Threatening Plyler v. Doe (1982) — allowing states to impose restrictive enrollment policies targeting immigrant and undocumented students without federal oversight. Texas and Tennessee have already proposed requiring proof of legal residency for school enrollment.

How does this affect students, especially Latino students?  

This executive order has impacted funding and programs that directly serve Latino and English learning students, including eliminating all but one position in the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), which provides essential resources, technical assistance and policy guidance. 

Other critical programs remain under threat, including:  

• Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies — Provides critical funding to high-poverty schools to support academic achievement. (Latino students are more likely than other groups to attend Title I schools.)  

• Title III, Part A Programs: Strengthening Institutions — Ensures English learners receive the necessary language instruction to succeed.  

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — Guarantees critical protections and services for students with disabilities, ensuring access to a free and appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs. 

 What can be done? As advocacy groups, legal organizations and community leaders challenge this executive order, state and local leaders should advocate for and reinforce programs that serve Latino, English learning and low-income students.  Educational institutions can strengthen local partnerships to sustain essential services, including bilingual education, special education support and financial aid resources for vulnerable students.  

Suppressing language assistance & access

What happened? President Trump signed an executive order on March 1, 2025 designating English as the official language of the United States. 

Why is this alarming? This represents a major shift in federal policy on language access. This executive order allows federal agencies and federally funded organizations to determine whether they will continue providing language assistance services, including translated documents and multilingual resources.  

How does this affect students, especially Latino students? English learning, multilingual and disabled students will not have the same meaningful access to education if federal agencies decide not to provide translation and interpretation services that are required by law.  

What can be done? Despite this policy shift, federal and state laws still protect parents’ rights to translation and interpretation services in schools. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Lau v. Nichols, schools receiving federal funding must ensure English learning students have meaningful access to education. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) further reinforces schools’ responsibility to provide language support, ensuring EL families can fully engage in their child’s education. It is critical for school districts, community organizations and local agencies to remain proactive and ensure multilingual and disabled families receive the support they are legally entitled to, so no one is excluded from fully participating in their education experience or in their children’s education.  

Undermining of honest history and student supports  

What happened? On Jan. 29, 2025, in its continued attacks on DEI, the Trump administration threatened to stop government support for schools by threatening the elimination of federal funding for implementing so-called “gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology.”  

Why is this alarming? The federal government does not mandate local curriculum. That is decided on a state level. The administration has also launched a public portal encouraging parents to report so-called “discriminatory” practices, further complicating efforts to create culturally relevant and inclusive curricula.  

How does this affect students, especially Latino students? Discouraging honest history and critical systemic issues could result in:  

• The erasure of Latinos and their significant contributions to U.S. and world history.  

• The reduction of bilingual education.  

• The cutting of programs that help students from diverse backgrounds feel valued and included.  

What can be done? Given that over 25% of K-12 students are Latino, it is essential to teach their history and contributions to ensure a well-rounded education that reflects the diverse world in which students live. A 2023 UnidosUS study, revealed that Latino contributions to U.S. history are severely underrepresented in textbooks, with only 13% of key historical topics covered, often in just a few sentences. A diverse and accurate curriculum benefits all students — not only those from multicultural and multilingual backgrounds. 

Undermining diversity and inclusion  

What happened? On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to halt so-called “illegal DEI” programs, policies and actions across the federal government.  

Why is this alarming? This has marked the beginning of broader efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives across public institutions. A second executive order was signed the next day, targeting DEIA programs in higher education and arguing that such initiatives violate civil rights laws by granting “preferential treatment” to certain student groups. Following this order, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” threatening to cut federal funding for institutions engaging in DEI efforts. 

How does this affect students, especially Latino students? The Trump administration is pursuing investigations into seven universities for allegedly awarding impermissible race-based scholarships or programs, including several benefiting Latino students. Cuts to initiatives that are labeled as “illegal DEI” programs limit resources for first-generation college students, Latino students and other historically marginalized communities. Additionally, the legal uncertainty has caused educational institutions to preemptively shut down DEI programs, affecting scholarships and other programs that offer student support services, discouraging institutions from offering critical assistance to marginalized students, even when they remain lawful.   

What can be done? Despite these aggressive rollbacks, not all diversity, equity and inclusion programs are unlawful. It is crucial for education leaders to consult with legal counsel before making changes, ensuring compliance with both federal and state law and the institution’s mission to serve all students equitably.  

Allowing immigration enforcement in schools  

What happened? Only hours after his confirmation, the Trump administration rescinded the sensitive locations policy, opening the door for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct raids near or even within schools.  

Why is this alarming? For over a decade, schools, churches and hospitals were considered sensitive locations.  

How does this affect students, especially Latino students? The Trump administration’s assertion that no place is considered safe has resulted in a chilling effect, where there has been:  

• Declines in student attendance. 

• Increased absenteeism.  

• Heightened fear among parents picking up their children from school.  

What can be done?  

It is important to note that federal student privacy protections remain in place:   

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): schools cannot disclose student’s personal information, including immigration status, without parental consent or a judicial warrant.  

• Plyler v. Doe (1982): guarantees all children the right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status.  

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964): further prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  

Schools and community leaders must continue to seek ways to support students and create a safe and welcoming learning environment. 

(Explore our previous blog for additional resources and information on protections available to undocumented families.) 

Eliminating the Latino-focused White House education initiative  

What happened? On January 20, 2025, President Trump rescinded the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.  

Why is this alarming? For more than 30 years, this initiative has played a crucial role in shaping federal policies, directing investments and advancing educational opportunities for Latino students. The program launched key initiatives that helped Latino families navigate college costs and convened leaders through the National Policy Forum on Hispanic Higher Education to advocate for stronger support systems for Latino students. 

How does this affect students, especially Latino students? Eliminating this initiative reduces coordinated efforts to improve Latino educational outcomes, and in the long-term, can be harmful to Latino students. While the executive office has the authority to rescind this initiative, millions of Latino students can lose access to federal resources that support academic achievement and college affordability. State and local governments may also reduce their efforts to support Latino students in higher education.  

What can be done? Schools should prioritize bilingual support, college affordability resources and targeted investments that ensure Latino students continue to have access to quality education. Strengthening state and local initiatives and collaborating with advocacy groups can help fill the gap left by the rescinded initiative. 

Cutting funding to Hispanic-serving institutions  

What happened? The Trump administration reversed the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity, which aimed at improving the economic and workforce opportunities, increase federal financing and broaden access to resources for Latino students through investments in Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).  

Why is this alarming? More than 4.7 million students each year are served by more than 500 HSIs, which are located in 27 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  

How does this affect students, especially Latino students? A key federal advocate for Latino students and institutions is now gone. HSI’s play a pivotal role in expanding college access and success for Latino students. Colleges and universities where at least 25% of the student population is Hispanic depend on federal grants and funding to provide essential academic support, bilingual education and workforce development programs. 

What can be done? Colleges and universities should advocate for state-level investments, institutional grants and workforce development partnerships to sustain programs that support Latino students. Additionally, community and business leaders can help expand scholarships and career pathways to ensure Latino students continue to thrive in higher education and beyond. 

These executive orders have far-reaching implications for Latino communities and the broader educational landscape, affecting students, families and communities nationwide. Unfortunately, it’s clear these executive orders are just getting started as part of broader efforts to reshape federal priorities. 

The ultimate impact for the country’s future, however?  

Reducing resources for multilingual learners, limiting access to higher education and rolling back initiatives that ensure fair opportunity. It is essential to assess the long-term impact of these executive orders on the economy, education and civil rights.  

Regardless of background, all children should have access to quality education.