Federal Court Rulings
Federal Judges Invalidate Trump Administration Education Grants and Immigrant Service Policies
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The Rhode Island directive was never implemented: Judge Mary McElroy had blocked it temporarily before making that injunction permanent. The rule would have classified people as “nonqualified aliens” not only if they were in the country unlawfully, but also if they held certain work visas or had Temporary Protected Status or DACA protections.
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The Rhode Island lawsuit was brought by Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia. McElroy said the administration’s attempt to reclassify the services was “procedurally invalid” because it used improper avenues to change the eligibility rules.
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California accounted for at least $148 million of the teacher-training grant cuts, according to state Attorney General Rob Bonta. The canceled funding affected more than 100 programs under the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development grant programs.
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The Education Department justified the grant terminations by alleging that some programs trained teachers through “divisive ideologies,” citing activities such as workshops on dismantling racial bias and exercises requiring educators to address systemic inequities.
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The grant dispute had a complicated procedural history: a federal appeals court had rejected the administration’s effort to resume the cuts, but the Supreme Court later ruled in April 2025 that the government could cut the grants while the case continued. Kelley’s final ruling still did not order the money restored; states seeking recovery must pursue claims in the Court of Federal Claims.
Federal judges have blocked two major Trump administration education policies in separate rulings. Judge Kelley Ruling In Massachusetts, Judge Angel Kelley ruled the Education Department unlawfully canceled about $600 million in teacher-training grants without proper notice or public comment. Judge McElroy Ruling In Rhode Island, Judge Mary McElroy permanently blocked a directive that would have denied Head Start, community health clinics, and adult education to certain immigrants, saying the administration improperly changed eligibility rules.
Massachusetts Court Blocks $600 Million in Teacher Grant Cuts
Judge Angel Kelley found the Education Department violated federal law by canceling teacher-training grants arbitrarily and without required notice. AP News The canceled funding affected more than 100 programs under the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development grant programs. State Attorney General California lost at least $148 million of the total cuts, according to state Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The Trump administration justified the cuts by claiming some programs trained teachers through what it called "divisive ideologies." Education Department The department cited workshops on dismantling racial bias and exercises requiring educators to address systemic inequities as reasons for termination. Reuters The ruling does not automatically restore the funds. States must pursue recovery claims in the Court of Federal Claims.
Rhode Island Court Blocks Immigrant Service Restrictions
Judge Mary McElroy permanently blocked a Trump directive that would have barred immigrants from federal programs like Head Start preschools and community health clinics. Judge McElroy The rule was never implemented because McElroy had already blocked it temporarily. The Hill The directive would have classified people as "nonqualified aliens" not just if unlawful, but also if they held certain work visas, had Temporary Protected Status, or DACA protections.
Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C. sued to challenge the policy. State Attorneys General Coalition McElroy ruled the administration's attempt to reclassify who could access services was "procedurally invalid" because it used improper legal channels to change eligibility rules. Reuters The decision prevents the administration from denying these critical services to immigrants in the challenged categories.
Complicated Legal Path for Teacher Grant Dispute
The teacher grant cancellations faced a tangled legal history before Kelley's final ruling. Federal Appeals Court A federal appeals court previously rejected the administration's effort to resume the cuts. Supreme Court But in April 2025, the Supreme Court ruled the government could cut the grants while litigation continued, giving the administration temporary victory.
Judge Kelley's final ruling against the cuts did not order the money restored immediately. Judge Kelley States must now file separate claims in the Court of Federal Claims to seek recovery of the canceled funding. Legal Analysis The decision leaves the grants' ultimate fate uncertain, with states required to pursue additional legal action to restore the money.
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