SRCD Fights Back Against Administration Efforts to Restrict Non-Citizens' Access to Programs
SRCD submitted a response to a federal plan to apply immigration-based eligibility restrictions to programs such as Head Start, community health centers, and health services.
On August 13th, 2025, SRCD pushed back on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notice proposing immigration-based eligibility restrictions that would close access to a significant range of HHS-funded programs and services, including Head Start, refugee programs, behavioral health services and more, by classifying them as “federal public benefits.” This reinterpretation enables HHS to bar undocumented immigrants and other non-qualified non-U.S. citizens from accessing these programs and services, reversing longstanding agency policy and precedent.
In our letter, SRCD highlights the evidence, summarizing the strong body of research demonstrating how basic support programs impacted by this notice benefit children and families, and underscores what is at stake for the wider population if access is restricted.
If this interpretation stands up in court, it will bar significant numbers of children and families from accessing programs with a proven track record to support children’s development, educational outcomes, sense of community, and long-term wellbeing, among other positive measures.
We want to thank SRCD’s Policy Committee, SRCD Caucuses and members for working with us in our response.