Alejandra Vázquez Baur, Fellow
Alejandra Vázquez Baur is a fellow at The Century Foundation, where she manages the Bridges Collaborative and directs the National Newcomer Network.
Loredana Valtierra, Senior Fellow
Loredana Valtierra is a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, having previously served as senior policy advisor in the Biden–Harris administration in the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education.
Trump Announcement on Public Benefits Does Not Change Legal Protections for K–12 Students
When students enroll in school and in school-related services, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether their private information will be used against them. Protecting students’ private information keeps students safe and helps prevent their data from being misused. Schools should be guardians of sensitive student data. However, recent interpretive notices from the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services regarding immigrants’ potential eligibility for certain federally funded programs has caused confusion and concern.
The Century Foundation and the National Immigration Law Center offer the following guidance to clarify what the notices mean for program providers and the potential risks for students, including immigrant students.
Public Benefits Interpretation Impact on Students PDF Aug 2025 →
Tags: k-12, Student protections, immigrant students