Two Judges Block HHS Plan To Force Immigration Checks For Head Start

Two federal judges issued injunctions halting an HHS directive that would have required immigration-status checks for Head Start enrollment. The rulings, in cases brought by a 20-state coalition and by Head Start advocates including the ACLU, say HHS cannot rewrite eligibility without proper rulemaking and statutory authority. One order is nationwide, preserving access for immigrant families as litigation proceeds. HHS says it disagrees and is evaluating next steps.