Introduction to Migrant Education Funding
The decision to unfreeze migrant education money has come too late for some kids, as the damage has already been done. Victoria Gomez de la Torre, who oversees the migrant education program for 12 central Florida counties, expressed her concerns about the future of the program. The federally funded service helps the children of migrant agricultural workers, who move within and between states based on planting and harvesting seasons.
Impact of Funding Freeze
Earlier this summer, the Trump administration froze more than $6 billion in education funding, including money for migrant education, after-school programs, English-language programs for non-native speakers, and other grants. Congress had already approved the money, but the administration said it wanted to conduct a review of the programs. The administration announced that it would release the remaining $5.5 billion of the money, after unfreezing $1.3 billion earlier this month. However, for Gomez de la Torre’s program, the damage had already been done: Without the money, it had to shut down this summer.
Effects on Migrant Children
The program came to a complete halt when Gomez de la Torre’s 11 staff members were offered other positions in the school district. Throughout July, about five dozen migrant children across the 12 counties were without summer services. The funds were supposed to go out before the start of the month. "It’s going horrendously," said Gomez de la Torre. "Migrant families depend on us, rely on our system and our help." The Alachua County program serves about 1,000 to 1,200 children of migrant workers throughout the year, many in rural farming communities. Each year, roughly 17,000 migrant children are served by programs across Florida.
Value of Migrant Education Programs
"It is a very valuable program for a very vulnerable population," said Joram Rejouis, the director of program development for the public schools in Alachua County. "Definitely, stopping the program caused damage, period — for the families, for the program and for the district." Migrant children are less likely to have regular primary care and are more likely to face health conditions such as anemia and high blood pressure. Many migrant families who harvest food in the fields don’t have enough food themselves. The program also helps with communication and translation among parents, teachers, and guidance counselors.
Uncertainty and Fear
The freeze in funds added to the uncertainty and fear created by the Trump administration’s broader moves to target benefits for immigrants. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it had added Head Start to the list of public programs that would be closed to immigrants who are here illegally. After the funding announcement earlier this month, a senior official said the administration had established "guardrails" to ensure the funds are not used "in violation of Executive Orders." "It’s anybody’s guess when we’ll come back," Gomez de la Torre said. "If we’ll come back. If people who chose to retire will return, if their retirement can be rescinded. … Nobody knows exactly how it’s going to play out."
Similar Stories in Other States
A similar story is unfolding in California. The statewide Mini Corps program, run by the Butte County Office of Education, north of Sacramento, connects migrant children at schools and labor camps with bilingual tutors who help them during the school day. Many of the tutors are former migrant children themselves, said Yvette Medina, who oversees the program. The funding freeze forced the office to lay off around 400 workers statewide, according to spokesperson Travis Souders. Despite Friday’s announcement, the organization is waiting for official word — in writing — before reversing layoffs.
Personal Stories of Migrant Children
Medina grew up in migrant labor camps, following her parents to the fields at 4 a.m. as they picked cherries and grapes before she went to school. Her parents worked throughout the Central Valley, back in Mexico and up and down the West Coast, all the way to Oregon. "It is devastating," she said. "If it wasn’t for the migrant program, I know for a fact there’s no way I would have graduated high school." Ruby Luis, a consultant who helps school districts across Florida identify and enroll migrant students in school, also was a migrant child. Her parents worked in orange groves, at strawberry and Christmas tree farms and produce-packing houses. Program tutors read books with her and gave her school supplies. The program took her on college tours and she enrolled via a scholarship for migrant children — a first-generation college student. She eventually graduated with a degree in biology.
Conclusion
The decision to unfreeze migrant education money has come too late for some kids, and the damage has already been done. The migrant education program is a valuable resource for a vulnerable population, and its shutdown has caused harm to the families, the program, and the district. It is essential to recognize the importance of this program and to ensure that it receives the necessary funding to continue providing services to migrant children.
FAQs
Q: What is the migrant education program?
A: The migrant education program is a federally funded service that helps the children of migrant agricultural workers, who move within and between states based on planting and harvesting seasons.
Q: Why was the migrant education program shut down?
A: The program was shut down due to a funding freeze by the Trump administration, which froze more than $6 billion in education funding, including money for migrant education.
Q: How many migrant children are served by the program in Florida?
A: Roughly 17,000 migrant children are served by programs across Florida each year.
Q: What are the effects of the funding freeze on migrant children?
A: The funding freeze has caused harm to migrant children, who are already a vulnerable population, and has added to the uncertainty and fear created by the Trump administration’s broader moves to target benefits for immigrants.
Q: What can be done to support migrant children?
A: It is essential to recognize the importance of the migrant education program and to ensure that it receives the necessary funding to continue providing services to migrant children. Additionally, it is crucial to address the underlying issues that affect migrant families, such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and immigration policies that create uncertainty and fear.
By Nada Hassanein, Stateline.org
Originally Published: August 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM EDT
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