New Policy on Adult Education in Indiana
A new policy introduced by the Trump administration is set to significantly impact adult education programs in Indianapolis. This policy requires students enrolled in adult education classes to provide proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. As a result, programs in the city will need to verify the immigration status of students enrolling in English language or basic education classes, or risk losing their federal funding.
Ruba Marshood, CEO of Indy Reads, a nonprofit that provides adult literacy and language classes, expressed concern over the policy. “These policies contradict our mission as an organization,” she said. “In the face of growing demand … we're trying to grow, not shrink. So we're facing all of that and trying to figure it out.”
The U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, stated in a July 10 news release that the Trump administration aims to ensure that federal funds are used for American citizens. Federal data shows that over 25,000 students participated in Indiana's adult education programs from July 2023 to June 2024, with about a third taking English language classes.
Concerns About the Policy
Advocates worry that collecting immigration statuses could create an environment of fear around adult education classes, even for those who are legally in the country. Gurinder Kaur, CEO of the Immigrant Welcome Center, emphasized that if people cannot learn English, they may remain in low-paying jobs, affecting their health and well-being.
Following the Trump administration's directive, 21 Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit, claiming the new policy is unlawful and would harm communities nationwide. However, Indiana plans to enforce the new requirements, according to a policy change document published on July 30.
“Our goal for Adult Education has been and will continue to be to help adult learners earn a high school equivalency efficiently so they may continue forward in their career trajectory,” said Lindsay Lindsey, spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Changes in Adult Education Programs
The policy change means federally funded adult education classes will no longer be open to people living in the U.S. without legal status for the first time in nearly three decades. In 1997, former President Bill Clinton’s administration issued a memo declaring that immigrants without legal status should still be eligible for certain federal education programs, including adult and special education. This will change on September 10, as the recent Trump directive overturns the 1997 guidance.
Other federally funded programs like Head Start preschool classes and certain behavioral and mental health clinics are also affected. This means some patients, parents, and students receiving these services could be asked to provide their immigration status.
Impact on Funding and Programs
The new policy comes after the Trump administration told states earlier this year that it was withholding over $6 billion in approved federal education funds, including more than $715 million for adult literacy and English language classes. Although the government unfroze the funding in late July, Indy adult education providers have had to delay classes and are operating weeks behind schedule.
Indiana's Response
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is responsible for distributing federal funds to local schools and programs. Starting September 10, states will have to verify that adult education students have legal status in the U.S., according to a policy change published by the department on July 30. Participants will need to provide their U.S. birth certificate, Real ID, or Department of Homeland Security immigration documents.
Department of Workforce Development spokesperson Elizabeth Presson said in an email that the state would check for eligibility but did not provide specific details on what would happen if local programs don't comply. “When we find a program out of compliance with any policy,” Presson wrote, “we require a corrective action plan to bring the program into compliance.”
Responses from Adult Education Programs
Washington, Wayne, and Warren township schools, as well as nonprofits such as Indy Reads and the YMCA, offer adult education programs in Marion County that rely on federal support. Some program officials say they are waiting for guidance from the state, which oversees the release of federal funds, about how to comply with the new policy. Others are already making their own plans to comply with the order.
At Indy Reads, Marshood said the organization has decided not to collect or report students' immigration status. She recognizes that not complying with the requirement is a risk but is willing to take it to stay true to its mission. The nonprofit has some support if its federal funds are revoked, as federal and state funding made up just 17% of its total budget last year.
Unaffected Programs
Not all adult education programs receive federal funding. For example, the Immigrant Welcome Center offers classes for beginning English learners and those with less than six years of formal education in their home countries. The center will continue to offer these classes and will not ask students to provide identification or proof of residency. However, Kaur said the center is looking for opportunities to expand the populations they serve in light of the new policy.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email at claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, on most social media @clairerafford, or on Signal at 317-759-0429.