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States Argue Trump Administration’s Termination of Congressionally Mandated
Program Would Violate Federal Law and Leave Vulnerable Young People
Homeless
BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today filed
an amicus brief with 19 other attorneys general in support of Job Corps, a national program that
offers career training and housing to young Americans from low-income backgrounds. The
Trump administration’s illegal termination of this program will close nearly 100 Job Corps
residential campuses across the country and threatens to leave thousands of vulnerable young
Americans homeless.
The brief explains that “in the sixty years since Congress created Job Corps, millions of young
Americans from low-income backgrounds have been served by the program’s unique
combination of education, training, housing, healthcare and community.” The unlawful
termination will impact tens of thousands of young Americans who are currently enrolled and
housed at campuses in all fifty states. Thousands of these program participants were unhoused or
in foster care when they enrolled and have no alternative housing if they lose their residence
through the program.
“Terminating Job Corps would be devastating for vulnerable young Marylanders, many of whom
were homeless or in foster care before receiving housing, healthcare, and career training through
the program,” said Attorney General Brown. “Without this safety net, thousands would lose
their homes, medical care, and job training, further straining Maryland’s social services.”
Since 2023, more than 1600 young Marylanders have enrolled in Job Corps and received vital
training in such trades as construction, carpentry, culinary, arts, electrical work, and hotel
services. They are served by approximately 100 employees who work at the Woodland Job
Corps Center in Prince George’s County. By offering support and housing to at-risk youth, Job
Corps relieves strain on our state’s resources and services while advancing Maryland’s
commitment to helping young people become independent and self-sufficient.
Today’s brief, filed in National Job Corps Association et al. v. Department of Labor et al.,
reaffirms that the injunction is necessary to protect vulnerable state residents and promote state
goals in education and workforce development. It further reinforces the point that the Trump
administration cannot violate federal law and the Constitution by terminating congressionally
mandated programs it opposes.
In filing today’s brief, Attorney General Brown joins the attorneys general of Arizona,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Maine,
Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island,
Vermont, and Washington.
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