DOE says Oregon universities can’t use federally-funded waivers for undocumented immigrants

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Universities in both Oregon and California will no longer receive federal waivers which allowed them to provide services to immigrants lacking permanent legal status, the US Department of Education announced.

The waivers — stemming from the federal TRIO programs geared towards improving youth educational and vocational success — allowed students who were immigrants lacking permanent legal status to receive additional academic and career services.

In a release sent on Thursday, the department argued that, instead of using the waivers exclusively for for low-income students, first-generation college students, and those with disabilities, the colleges and universities were using them to “provide entitlements to illegal immigrants.”

“American taxpayer dollars will no longer be used to subsidize illegal immigrants through Department of Education programs,” said Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron. “The TRIO Program was designed to provide support and guidance to disadvantaged Americans as they navigate the road to and through postsecondary education. The Department will not allow the true purpose of the program to be corrupted to advance an American-last agenda.”

California’s use of the P3 waiver began in Nov. 2022 and was set to expire in Sept. 2026. Oregon’s use began in Oct. 2023 and was set to expire in Sept. 2027.

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission offered the following statement on this development:

On March 27, the HECC received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the Oregon Performance Partnership Pilot (P3) agreement, and we have shared its contents with the Oregon institutions and the Oregon TRIO Association. The Oregon TRIO Association is working with Oregon colleges and universities to ensure they understand their obligations related to the administration of TRIO at their institutions.

The HECC is actively assessing the potential impact of recent federal directives on Oregonians served by the postsecondary education and training system. As we work with the Governor, institutions, and partners to make these assessments, we remain committed to our mission to advance equitable access and success in postsecondary education and training for Oregonians. You can find more information on the HECC and federal changes on our website here.

When reached for comment, Portland State University said that although they have an active TRIO program, they were not using the waiver. As a result, PSU students will not be affected.

According to Oregon State University spokesperson Rob Odom, OSU has neither “received a notice” nor “served undocumented students through this program.”

KOIN 6 has also reached out to the University of Oregon. This story will be updated when we hear back.