According to a February 18, 2026 update from minority members on the House Committee on Education and Workforce and other Democrats, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has yet to respond to House Democrats’ 2025 inquiry into how the agency is supporting states and school districts with students who have been impacted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The original inquiry was sent in November 2025 and requested information on guidance the USDE was providing to help ensure school districts were addressing mental health challenges and chronic absenteeism amid increased ICE enforcement activities. That letter also said the USDE could help states and school districts to understand how to best use federal funds to keep school environments safe, among other activities.
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