The Trump administration has accused states and schools of using federal education grants earmarked for immigrants' children and low-income students to help fund "a radical leftwing agenda ."
The administration this week withheld more than 6 billion intended for after-school and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more, saying it would review the grants to ensure they align with President Donald Trump's priorities. The freeze sent schools and summer camp providers scrambling to determine whether they can still provide programs like day camps this summer or after-hours child care this fall.
On Wednesday, the Office of Management and Budget said an initial review showed schools used some of the money to support immigrants in the country illegally or promote LGBTQ inclusion. The administration said it hadn't made any final decisions about whether to withhold or release individual grants.
"Many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda," the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.
It said New York schools had used money for English language instruction to promote organizations that advocate for immigrants in the country illegally. Washington state used the money to direct immigrants without legal status toward scholarships the Trump administration says were "intended for American students." Grant funds also were used for a seminar on "queer resistance in the arts," the office said.