This week’s policy round-up tracks major federal moves that threaten equity, transparency, and civil rights—from erasing MENA students in education data to expanding executive control and rolling back consumer protections.
MENA Students at Risk of Being Erased from Federal Education Data: Federal education policy is falling short of its promise to include Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) students—excluding them from national assessments, civil rights data, and after-school program reporting. These decisions not only reverse recent progress but also reinforce decades of erasure, leaving MENA communities without the visibility needed to secure equitable resources, protections, and opportunities.
One of the most immediate concerns is the Department of Education’s plan to exclude MENA students from the annual performance report for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). This program provides academic enrichment and family support services to students in high-poverty schools. Without data on MENA student participation and outcomes, the effectiveness of these programs cannot be measured, which could impact future funding and program design. It also denies other communities the opportunity to learn from what works for MENA students—undermining equity across the board.
In addition, the Department of Education is proposing to include MENA students in the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), but only for 4th and 8th graders. 12th-grade MENA students would be excluded, leaving a critical gap in understanding how these students perform as they prepare to graduate. This omission limits the ability of educators and policymakers to support MENA students at a pivotal moment in their academic journey.
Compounding these setbacks, the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC)—a tool used to enforce anti-discrimination laws in schools—is also set to exclude MENA students from its 2025–2026 reporting. This decision could make it harder to identify and address inequities affecting MENA students, especially in areas like discipline, access to advanced coursework, and special education services. Without inclusion in CRDC, MENA students are left without the protections that data visibility can provide.
In 2024, federal standards were updated to require agencies to collect data on MENA populations—finally recognizing a community long erased from federal surveys. These proposals fall short of that promise. Without full inclusion, MENA students remain invisible in the data that drives funding and policymaking, while ensuring accountability. This invisibility perpetuates inequity and weakens the systems meant to serve all students.
Your voice can make a difference. Submit a public comment to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and demand full inclusion of MENA students in all federal education data systems. The deadlines are fast approaching:
- Comment on 21st Century Community Learning (Deadline: August 21)
- Comment on National Assessment of Educational Progress (Deadline: September 3)
- Comment on Civil Rights Data Collections (Deadline: September 8)
This erasure is happening alongside a broader rollback of equity efforts in education. A ruling this week by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland declared the Department of Educations violated the law when it threatened to cut federal funding from educational institutions that continued DEI efforts. The decision has already led to confusion and fear among educators, and it threatens to further marginalize communities like MENA students who are already underrepresented in federal data and policy.
Federal Overreach and Legal Challenges: The federal takeover of D.C.’s police department marks a dramatic expansion of presidential power over daily life. Through executive order, the President invoked a rarely used provision of the D.C. Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control for “federal purposes.” This authority is time-limited to 30 days, and any extension beyond that requires an act of Congress—a critical safeguard that underscores the extraordinary nature of this move. In response, the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of this takeover, arguing that it violates the Home Rule Act and undermines the city’s autonomy.
In the days following the order, more than 800 federal agents and National Guard troops were deployed across the city. Immigration enforcement teams began conducting vehicle checkpoints, checking for minor infractions and immigration status—raising serious concerns about racial profiling and civil liberties in majority-minority neighborhoods. These tactics signal a shift away from locally accountable policing toward federal priorities, with fewer civilian oversight mechanisms in place.
While citing a “crime emergency,” the administration has simultaneously proposed cuts to programs that actually prevent violence—such as housing, domestic violence services, and community-based safety initiatives. This contradiction undermines the stated public safety goals and further destabilizes communities already facing systemic challenges.
In parallel, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration can continue withholding billions in foreign aid, including funds for global health and HIV/AIDS programs. The decision limits who can challenge funding freezes, making it easier for future administrations to block spending already approved by Congress—without oversight.
Another court ruling granted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive data across federal agencies, including Social Security numbers and citizenship records. This raises serious privacy concerns, especially for immigrants and mixed-status families who may now face heightened scrutiny or enforcement.
These actions reflect a broader shift toward centralized power, reduced transparency, and weakened protections for communities most impacted by poverty, racial injustice, and displacement. They also signal how legal loopholes and executive authority are being used to bypass accountability and reshape public policy—often at the expense of those with the least power to resist.
Economic Justice and Consumer Protections: Recent federal actions are reshaping the economic landscape in ways that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans while placing increased strain on low-income households. A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reveals that under President Trump’s latest tax and spending law, the top 10% of earners—those making over $200,000 annually—will see an average income boost of $13,600. In contrast, the bottom 10% of earners, typically making under $25,000, are projected to lose about $1,200 annually due to cuts in Medicaid and food assistance. The CBO also warns that stricter Medicaid eligibility rules could leave 10 million more Americans uninsured over the next decade, further deepening healthcare access disparities.
In a separate move, President Trump revoked Executive Order 14036, a Biden-era measure designed to promote competition and protect consumers. The rollback signals a shift toward an “America First Antitrust” approach, reducing federal oversight of mergers and monopolistic practices. This change could lead to increased market consolidation, higher prices, and fewer choices—especially in essential sectors like food, housing, and healthcare. Workers in concentrated labor markets may also face limited job mobility and wage stagnation. Together, these developments highlight a growing divide in economic opportunity and consumer protection, with low-income communities bearing the brunt of policy changes.