Federal Court Halts Closures of Job Corps Centers
Recently, a federal district court mandated that the Trump administration pause plans to shut down 99 Job Corps centers nationwide.
In May, the Labor Department announced a moratorium aimed at ensuring that federal investments in labor yield beneficial results for both students and taxpayers. However, this latest court ruling stems from legal challenges brought against the administration by Job Corps students, public interest groups, and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). For now, this ruling puts a temporary stop to the closures.
Established by Congress in 1964, Job Corps is recognized as the largest national career training and housing program in the United States, assisting tens of thousands of disadvantaged youth aged 16 to 24 each year. Since its inception, the program has trained and educated more than two million individuals.
The Job Corps program’s description on the Labor Department’s website highlights that students can access housing and board while acquiring skills in specific training areas for up to three years. Beyond just education, the program provides support services such as employment, housing, childcare, and transportation to help graduates enter the workforce, pursue higher education, or enlist in the military.
In a press release, the SPLC applauded the court’s ruling, which obstructs the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the program.
According to the SPLC, the court’s decision reflects the Trump administration’s overreach in trying to dismantle a crucial program like Job Corps, which plays a vital role in uplifting communities, particularly for Black and Brown youth. They emphasized the importance of protecting and expanding Job Corps as a commitment to equity and providing upward mobility.
Adam Pulver, representing Public Citizen Litigation Group, criticized the Labor Department’s actions, stating that the sudden decision to close key centers was harsh and unlawful. He pointed out that the approach taken by the department was an attempt to sidestep existing legal mandates regarding the Job Corps centers.
The court found that the Department of Labor had indeed illegally shut down all 99 centers, contravening the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which requires the existence of Job Corps. Consequently, the court reinforced the suspension of the Labor Department’s closure directive, keeping these 99 centers operational for the time being, including two locations in Montgomery and Gadsden, Alabama.
