A wave of urgency has swept through New Mexico’s education community as the state joined 22 others in a lawsuit over a sudden federal funding freeze for schools. The move united a broad coalition of attorneys general and governors nationwide in their battle against the unprecedented decision to freeze $6.8 billion in K-12 and adult education grants.
The freeze directly jeopardizes over $45 million for the 2025–2026 school year, which the report suggests would “impact programs that serve the state’s most vulnerable children.” Migrant education, teacher professional development, English learner support, and critical after-school initiatives are all left in limbo as state and district leaders scramble to revise budgets and protect services.
The lawsuit, filed July 14 in federal court, alleges that the administration’s abrupt action violates both federal laws and the US Constitution. The coalition contends these funds were duly appropriated by Congress, and withholding them—especially with almost no notice—is illegal under the Impoundment Control Act.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez at a news conference in Santa Fe described the potential impact of the budget freeze. Torrez highlighted the direct threat not only to critical education programs but also to the broader emotional and economic strain on communities that are already navigating uncertainty in today’s economy.
“Imagine what happens when you have nearly 10,000 kids at 127 centers across the state of New Mexico. Instantly, their parents are thrown into this state of anxiety, and they’re trying to figure out what to do with their families,” said Torrez.
Torrez, along with others, criticized the administration’s decision-making process behind the sudden funding freeze. “That is what happens when someone in D.C. looks at a line item something like this and decides, well, this is a place that we can just make a cut,” Torrez said.
“It is, I think, completely irresponsible to engage in policymaking in that way.”
Since the news broke out on June 30, 2025, several institutions have raised concerns and warned about potential disruptions in key programs.
Raton Public Schools, headed by Superintendent Kristie Medina, stated that with this funding freeze, rural districts “may have to cancel essential programs.”
Bill Rodriguez from the 21st Century Learning Center notified that “fall programming is already behind schedule.” Santa Fe Schools have also raised serious concerns, such as staffing and academic planning.
Education Secretary Mariana Padilla also warned that the “more than $44 million in federal support” is in jeopardy for the 2025-2026 school year. The funding includes over $18 million for teacher development, approximately $10 million for after-school programs, and $16 million for support of English learners.
Supporters view the lawsuit as a fight for fairness and the survival of essential education services. “This is not a partisan issue,” Torrez said.
“This is about kids who will not have access in the matter of weeks to educational support and resources.”
The court proceeding started in mid-July 2025 at the Federal Court in Rhode Island.
