Policies & Analysis

A group of trade organizations and unions have sued the Trump administration for intending to shut down the Job Corps program. These actions included halting background checks for new students, canceling pending or outstanding Job Corps procurements, terminating internet services, drastically reducing the Department of Labor's (DOL) budget for Job Corps, and canceling contracts with Job Corps center operators. Notices of contract cancellation directed centers to send students home and begin shutdown procedures. The plaintiffs contended that the DOL's actions exceeded its statutory authority, were contrary to law, and were arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. They also argued that the actions were ultra vires and violated the Constitution's separation of powers. The plaintiffs sought a court declaration that the defendants' actions were unlawful, an injunction preventing the defendants from eliminating the Job Corps program, and an award of court costs.

Seven Job Corps students filed a lawsuit seeking to represent a nationwide class of Job Corps participants in response to the Trump administration's decision to suspend the Job Corps program by ordering the shutdown of all 99 contractor-operated Job Corps centers. The plaintiffs argue that the administration is in violation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and the Impoundment Control Act. They also argue that the administration's actions were arbitrary and capricious, and that the agency unlawfully withheld congressionally appropriated funds.