Emily Scott was four months away from graduating as a licensed nurse. Andrea Watts was finally earning her high school diploma after surviving homelessness. Both found stability, hope, and opportunity at Job Corps.

Then it was ripped away.

On May 29, the Trump administration ordered a shutdown of all 99 contractor-run Job Corps centers—centers that house and train over 25,000 vulnerable young people across the country. Despite Congress fully funding the program through 2025, the Department of Labor announced a “pause” in operations and began removing students and terminating staff.

Students were forced to abandon their dorms. Many had nowhere to go.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the shutdown, but the threat remains. The administration is arguing that Job Corps—a program established by Congress—can be dismantled by executive action alone. That’s not just morally wrong—it’s legally wrong.

Congress must act now to protect this life-changing program.

Job Corps has long had bipartisan support because it works. It gives young people—especially those who are low-income, disabled, or housing insecure—a second chance. For many, it’s their only shot at a stable career and future.

We call on Congress to:

• Enforce the law and defend its own authority over federally funded programs
• Prevent any further displacement of students already enrolled
• Guarantee that all currently enrolled youth can complete their training

There is no excuse for taking futures away from young people already in the pipeline—especially those like Emily and Andrea, who are doing everything right under incredibly difficult circumstances.

Congress must act before more lives are upended. Job Corps was created to lift young people up, not leave them stranded. Don’t let this illegal shutdown stand.

Photo: APnews