Arizona joins lawsuit against Trump administration over $6.8B in frozen education funds

PHOENIX – Arizona joined yet another multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, this one over $6.8 billion in frozen education funding that supports a variety of programs.

The federal grant money for after-school and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more is being withheld as part of a review to ensure the programs align with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

The freeze includes $132 million for Arizona programs, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.

“By freezing $132 million in funds owed to Arizona’s students, President Trump and his administration are increasing costs for Arizona’s schools, cities and families,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a press release. “It’s unlawful for President Trump to hold up this education funding and wreak havoc on Arizona’s students and families — and it’s having an immediate and devastating impact.”

Arizona has now joined 21 multistate lawsuits against the federal government since Trump took office in January.

How education funding freeze impacts Arizona

The new lawsuit was filed by a coalition of 23 states in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. It argues that the freeze is illegal and says the states have complied with their conditions for receiving the funding.

Some of the withheld money funds after-school and summer programming at Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA or public schools, attended by 1.4 million children and teenagers nationwide. Congress set aside money for the programs to provide academic support, enrichment and child care to mostly low-income families.

The Office of Management and Budget said some grants supported left-wing causes, pointing to services for immigrants in the country illegally or LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.

Mayes said the education funding, which was supposed to be distributed July 1, also is essential for covering supplies, teachers, school safety officers and other costs.

“Arizona’s communities and families will have to scramble because the president is trying to rewrite the law,” she said. “This will not stand. And I will continue to fight until we secure this funding for our students.”

Rep. Greg Stanton wrote a joint letter with Sen. Mark Kelly last week asking for the funds to be disbursed.

According to the letter, the freeze includes $1.3 million for the Boys & Girls Club of Arizona operating budget and could cause the organization to close summer camps early.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related

Arizona members of Congress demand release of $118M in federal education funding$118 million withheld from Arizona’s schools by U.S. Department of EducationPeoria Unified board member questions quality of training, alleges sex scandal cover-upPeoria Unified governing board members deny accusations surrounding teacher sex caseArizona judge rejects Republican effort to block ESA reform ballot initiative; appeal plannedMore school closures could be coming in the West Valley