Executive Order Update: July 18th, 2025
This week’s policy round-up highlights key federal changes in immigration, health, education, voting rights, media funding, and consumer protections—including expiring deportation protections for Palestinians, major federal layoffs, and a court ruling on medical debt reporting.
ICE Fast-Tracks Deportations and Detention Powers: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a new directive asserting the authority to deport migrants to third countries with just six hours’ notice in “exigent circumstances.” This will result in individuals being sent to countries where they have no ties or face serious safety risks. ICE also announced major expansion of mandatory detention for anyone who entered the U.S. without authorization and eliminating bond hearings unless the Department of Homeland Security intervenes. Backed by a $45 billion budget, ICE plans to increase its capacity from 56,000 to 100,000 detainees per day. These changes significantly reduce legal safeguards for immigrants, sidestep due-process protections, and raise concerns about human rights and accountability.
Palestinian Nationals Urged to Prepare as DED Deadline Approaches: Deferred Enforced Departure protections for certain Palestinian nationals in the U.S. are set to expire on August 13, 2025. Without presidential action, deportation relief and work authorization will end for those who’ve lived in the U.S. since February 14, 2024. Affected individuals are urged to consult immigration attorneys to explore alternative legal options. To get support or learn more about available services, visit ACCESS’s immigration and citizen team.
HHS Narrows Immigrant Access to Federal Benefits: On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services redefined “Federal public benefit” to exclude many immigrants from programs like Head Start, mental health and substance use treatment, and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics via this register notice. Only U.S. citizens and “qualified” immigrants remain eligible. The change is effective immediately, with a public comment period open until August 13. Submit a comment here.
Executive Power Expands as Supreme Court Allows Layoffs in Education, Health: The administration is moving forward with 11,000 layoffs across the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services (HHS) after the Supreme Court lifted blocks by lower courts. Nearly 1,400 Education staff are being laid off, with core functions like student loans and civil rights oversight shifted to other agencies. HHS is cutting about 10,000 positions across the FDA, CDC, and NIH. The cuts reflect a growing trend of executive-led agency overhauls, sparking concerns about governance, accountability, and equity in federal policymaking. Organizations that rely on federal support for education or health services may also feel the effects through trickle-down impacts on funding, guidance, and program delivery.
State Election Systems Under Attack as DOJ Actions Raise Alarm Ahead of 2026: The Department of Justice (DOJ) formally requested voter rolls and detailed election data from nine states. Colorado drew unique attention after a Trump-linked consultant asked clerks to allow federal access to voting machines—requests they rejected over legal concerns. The DOJ is also reportedly considering criminal charges against election officials, intensifying pressure on an already strained workforce. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has paused a ruling that would limit lawsuits under the Voting Rights Act, leaving key protections temporarily intact. These developments raise concerns about voter privacy, state autonomy, and democratic safeguards ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections.
Medical Debt Ruling Could Deepen Inequality, Hurt Credit Access: On July 15, 2025, a federal judge in Texas overturned a Biden-era Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that had barred most medical debt from appearing on consumer credit reports. The reversal could affect 15 million Americans holding $49 billion in medical debt—making it harder to secure loans, mortgages, or favorable interest rates and disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income families. Reintroducing it could worsen financial instability, deepen inequality, and penalize people seeking necessary care. To take action, visit UndueMedicalDebt.org to support advocacy efforts, share your story, or contact lawmakers.
Congress Slashes Public Broadcasting, Putting Underserved Communities at Risk: Congress approved a “recission” request from the president to cancel $1.1 billion funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. The cuts will severely impact rural and Native American communities that rely on public broadcasting for emergency alerts, education, and news—deepening the information divide and leaving millions without access to vital non-commercial media. To see if your local station may be affected, visit cpb.org/stations or check with your local NPR or PBS affiliate. Concerned about the impact? Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to learn more and contact your lawmakers in support of public media funding.