Rep. Alma Adams Criticizes CBP Raids and Trump Administration's Education Policies

Criticism of CBP Raids

• 🚨 Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents were deployed to Charlotte, North Carolina, in unmarked cars, without badges, and wielding assault rifles, causing fear within the community.
• 😨 Law-abiding constituents, regardless of immigration status, were afraid to attend church, work, or school due to their language or skin color.
• 🇺🇸 A US citizen constituent experienced his car window being smashed, being dragged into the street, pinned down, and handcuffed, despite being a US citizen.
• 🚫 This behavior is described as disgusting and un-American, highlighting a moral and education crisis.

Impact on Education

• 🏫 27,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg students (21% of the student population) were absent from school due to fear stemming from the Trump administration's actions.
• 📉 This absence represents a significant disruption to students' constitutionally protected right to a public education.

Trump Administration's Education Policy Changes

• 🏛️ The Trump administration announced a plan to eliminate the Department of Education without congressional consent, using the Economy Act, which is unprecedented.
• 📉 Moving educational programs to agencies without experience in education policy is expected to lead to worse outcomes for students.
• ⚙️ The management of the Perkins Career and Technical Education program was moved to the Department of Labor, creating inefficiencies and redundancies.
• 💰 States are struggling to access funds for the Perkins CTE program, facing obstacles and complex procedures even after two months post-transfer.
• 🎓 There are concerns that grantees with fewer resources, such as HBCUs applying for Augustus Hawkins grants, will have a harder time navigating the new framework.

Recommendations for Apprenticeships

• 🤝 Reviving the $65 million youth apprenticeship readiness grant program is suggested.
• 🔗 Better articulating Career and Technical Education (CTE) with apprenticeship programs is recommended.
• 🎓 Creating dual enrollment programs for apprenticeships, allowing young people to earn credit and advanced standing after high school, is proposed.