Washington (AP) – Education Department The Civil Rights Office is best known for enforcing disability service rights across American schools. But under President Donald Trump, it plays the forefront of his political battle.
Trump’s appointees have halted thousands of pending cases while launching a new investigation consistent with the president’s campaign promises. Career staff are on the sidelines to stop and put pressure on them. Anti-Semitism, Transgender Issues and Anti-DEI complaints.
A memo from the chief of the Civil Rights Bureau on Friday announced that anti-Semitism incidents are now a top priority, aiming for a university that has brought Palestinian protests Accusations of anti-Semitic bias. That followed the decision to cut the federal money by $400 million. Going to Columbia UniversitySaturday immigration officer Palestinian activist arrested Those involved in the protests of major students.
Hanging in balance is the type of case the office has traditionally focused on – Students with disabilities People who need services they don’t get, or students facing harassment tied to their skin tone.
It is normal to suspend civil rights lawsuits while the new presidential administration is acclimating, but this transition has led to a more stringent freeze that has been longer than others. Trump officials lifted the disability freeze on February 20th, and last week he wrote a new education secretary. Linda McMahon He said all cases could resume as normal.
During Trump’s first appointment, the Civil Rights Office settled around 50 lawsuits, according to staff who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. In comparison, the office resolved more than 3,000 complaints in the same window of Trump’s first term, and nearly 500 people under former President Joe Biden.
Even the most urgent cases, traditionally with exceptions, sat during the freeze. Staff lawyers were told not to respond to external calls or emails, leaving their family in the dark.
Another staff member of the Civil Rights Office described a desperate email from a parent whose school refused to create accommodation due to a child’s disability. “We just ignored their emails,” said someone who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Tilisa Guyton of Taylor, Michigan, filed a complaint with the Civil Rights Office on Jan. 20th about repeated suspensions from a school district outside Detroit, claiming that white administrators were targeting him and other black groups. The teens have been absent from school since December 4th. Even if the investigation resumes, she has not heard anything from the civil rights agency.
“He still asks every day, ‘Can I go back to school?'” Gunton said of her son.
The memo said Friday that anti-Semitism among staff will be a “research and enforcement priority.” The memo added that other forms of OCR enforcement activities should not be interpreted as “depriving them.” However, staff said it is the most likely outcome as they face heavier caseloads tied to the president’s agenda as staff ranks decline.
Politics usually exists to some degree in office priorities, with Republicans accusing Biden officials of going too far when they opened lawsuits to ban Covid-19 masks and supported transgender students. However, some longtime staff members said this was the first time they’ve seen cases tied to political agendas have been stripped of their daily work.
Trump wants totals Closing of education sectorcalling it a “fraud” that permeated the left. At her Senate hearing, McMahon said the Civil Rights Office might provide better services if it is moved to the Department of Justice.
Michigan’s special education advocate said Mercy Lipsitt appears to be stuck in other cases.
“I told everyone, “If there’s a US ED department, then the US ED department is not accountable, so we’ll have to fight hard for accountability,” she said.
At the same time, Trump officials continue to launch their own “instructed investigations.” This is an aggressive inquiry that deviates from the typical work of an office in response to complaints. The office has opened more than 12 such surveys. Transgender athlete Or take a more difficult stance towards pro-Palestinian protesters.
More work will be achieved for fewer employees in an office of around 500 workers. Staff say field offices across the country have been attacked after dozens of sector workers were taken on leave in response to Trump’s orders for diversity, equity and inclusive efforts. Many others have made shopping pushed out by the Trump administration, leaving several field offices with no managers in key leadership jobs.
Minor changes to office policies can also have characteristics impact. Complaints to the office cannot be made progress unless the filer signs an agreement allowing the name to be disclosed during the investigation. For years, the office sent a reminder if the form had not been submitted. Parents often didn’t know that it was necessary. However, an updated case manual from the Trump administration removes reminders.
Staff say it means more cases will be technically rejected.
Brandi Tanner, an Atlanta-based psychologist and special education advocate, said some special education advocates have begun filing more cases with state agencies. In a conversation at a recent conference in California, disability advocates expressed uncertainty and anxiety, Tanner said.
“‘That’s a bit of a stretch, we’re very scared about what else we’re trying to keep the pike down,” she said. “Do students lose their rights?”
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Hollingsworth reported from the Kansas Mission.
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