This week’s federal policy round-up breaks down key developments in civil liberties, immigration, economic justice, labor, and public health. Each update carries serious implications for our communities—especially those most impacted by systemic inequities and shifting federal priorities.
Federal Intervention Intensifies
Shutdown Deepens Amid Health Care Dispute and Targeting of Democratic Cities: The federal shutdown has entered its second week, with enhanced ACA tax credits at the heart of the dispute. As negotiations stall, we urge you to use and share our P2A tool to email your representatives and demand they protect these critical healthcare supports.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has suspended over $2.1 billion in infrastructure grants to Chicago and $18 billion to New York, moves described as “budget reassessments” but widely seen as political retaliation against Democratic-led cities.
Courts Weigh Trump’s National Guard Deployments: The Trump administration ordered the deployment of 500 National Guard troops to Chicago, after having ordered the deployment of hundreds to Portland. Federal judges in Portland and Chicago have temporarily blocked the deployments as appeals proceed in response to lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the deployments. The outcomes could set major precedent: either reinforcing limits on federal use of state forces without consent or expanding executive power to deploy troops domestically—raising serious concerns over civil liberties and state sovereignty.
Apple and Google Remove ICE-Tracking Apps Under Pressure: ICEBlock and similar apps were removed after Attorney General Pam Bondi demanded their removal, citing law enforcement safety concerns. Apple and Google cited policy violations, cutting off access for over 1 million users who relied on the tools to monitor ICE activity. The move raises concerns about censorship, surveillance, and tech companies’ growing role in immigration enforcement.
Immigration Policy
Supreme Court Allows Trump to Resume Effort to Strip TPS from Venezuelans: On October 3, the Supreme Court issued an emergency order allowing the Trump administration to restart its push to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 300,000 Venezuelan migrants. The ruling overrides a lower court’s block and leaves families in jeopardy of deportation even as the case plays out in court. The decision signals a retreat from humanitarian protections and expands the administration’s ability to use emergency court powers in immigration cases. Even if TPS revocation is ultimately found illegal, thousands could have already been deported to a country still in crisis.
Coercion Over Care — Migrant Children Offered Cash to Leave U.S: A federal judge temporarily blocked a new Trump policy to detain migrant youth after they turn 18, citing a 2021 court order. Still, children are spending far longer in shelters: the average stay was 171 days in July—down from 217 in April, but still a sharp rise from just 37 days in January, when Trump took office.
HHS’s Administration for Families and Children emailed migrant shelters offering $2,500 to children 14 and older to return to their home countries—without explaining what happens if they refuse. This blurs the line between choice and coercion, especially for kids without legal or family support. The broader approach signals a shift toward deterrence over protection.
Policy Changes Jeopardize Benefit Access
Social Security Paper Check Phase-Out Risks Leaving Vulnerable Behind: As of September 30, the Federal Government has begun phasing out paper checks for Social Security, SSI, and tax refunds, requiring recipients to switch to direct deposit or a “Direct Express” card—announced via this executive order. For those impacted, click HERE to learn how to transition to electronic payments.
Officials say the move will reduce fraud and cut costs, with paper checks allowed only in “limited cases.” But the shift could disrupt payments for unbanked, unhoused, or digitally disconnected individuals—many of whom may not be fully aware of the change. Without careful outreach and support, those most in need risk missing critical benefits they have earned, highlighting deeper inequities in the push toward digital-only systems.
SNAP Work Rules Tighten Nov. 1, Threatening Food Access for Families: The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a memo ordering states to begin enforcing stricter SNAP work requirements for “able-bodied adults without dependents” starting November 1. The changes, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, include:
- Raising the age cutoff for exemptions from 59 to 65
- Limiting caregiver exemptions to those with children under 14 (previously under 18)
- Eliminating exemptions for veterans, unhoused individuals, and those who aged out of foster care
Those who don’t meet the new rules could lose benefits after three months. The shift risks cutting off food assistance for people facing barriers like unstable housing, limited transportation, or caregiving duties. States must now implement and monitor the changes—raising concerns about confusion, delays, and deepened hardship in already vulnerable communities.
Labor & Institutional Shifts
Senate Confirmation Reshapes EEOC’s Role in Worker Protections: The Senate has confirmed Brittany Panuccio to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), restoring a Republican majority and giving the administration control over the agency’s direction. Panuccio joins Andrea Lucas, now chair, following the president’s unprecedented earlier removal of two Democratic commissioners that temporarily halted agency action.
With its quorum restored, the EEOC is expected to revise or rescind prior guidance on harassment, LGBTQ protections, and portions of the Pregnant Workers Act, while further curbing the use of disparate impact theory in enforcement —a standard that allows discrimination to be found when a policy unfairly affects certain groups, even if it wasn’t explicitly intended to. The shift could make it harder for all workers to challenge discrimination on the job—especially when biased policies affect people based on race, religion, age, or other factors—and raises concerns about whether the EEOC can remain a fair and independent enforcer of civil rights.
Public Health Policy
Vaccines Remain Available as CDC Shifts COVID and Varicella Guidance: The CDC has updated its vaccine recommendations, now framing COVID-19 vaccination as an individual choice rather than a universal recommendation. High-risk individuals, including seniors, are advised to consult healthcare providers.
The CDC also revised guidance on the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine for children, recommending that the first varicella dose be given separately from MMR—unless families opt for the combined shot. This update does not change the timing of varicella doses; it only alters how the first dose is administered.
While access remains intact, the shift toward individualized decision-making and the lack of transparent scientific rationale may increase confusion and hesitancy.