A federal judge in New York has ordered the continuation of Job Corps Centers nationwide, including those in Wisconsin, despite a recent Supreme Court decision that may complicate enforcement of such rulings. U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. issued a preliminary injunction stating the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) acted unlawfully by initiating the shutdown of these federally funded vocational schools, which serve vulnerable youth.
In his Wednesday ruling, Carter emphasized that once Congress mandates a program like Job Corps and allocates funding for it, the DOL cannot independently decide to terminate it. He underscored the department’s responsibility to uphold the law as established by Congress.
The injunction was filed in response to a lawsuit brought by the National Job Corps Association against the DOL earlier this month. As the case moves toward trial, the judge’s order prevents any further attempts to close the centers. A previous temporary restraining order had already paused the shutdown process.
Job Corps is designed to offer education and training for marginalized youth, many of whom have faced homelessness, foster care, or abusive situations. The centers provide crucial skill development in various fields, including masonry, HVAC, nursing assistance, and welding.
Earlier in May, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced a “pause” in operations at Job Corps Centers, directing them to begin shutting down and relocating students. However, this “pause” was perceived as misleading, as the department lacks the legal authority to single-handedly dismantle a congressionally mandated program. Carter noted that any such action requires adhering to specific statutory procedures.
Carter’s order came just ten days after he held oral arguments in which DOL attorneys admitted they could not terminate the program without Congressional authority. The judge stated that terminating the program would lead to thousands of young people becoming instantly homeless, as many have nowhere else to go.
The Job Corps initiative was established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, serving millions of impoverished young Americans over the years. As of 2025, approximately 25,000 students are enrolled across the nation, with around 100 at the Milwaukee Job Corps Center located at 6665 N. 60th St.
The potential shutdown has been met with public backlash and bipartisan criticism. Local leaders in Milwaukee recently condemned the decision, attributing it to the Trump administration. In his order, Carter raised questions about the rationale behind the closures, acknowledging the hardships faced by Job Corps participants, who strive to improve their lives through education despite significant obstacles.
Adding complexity to the situation, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on nationwide injunctions could affect the enforcement of Carter’s order, which encompasses a nationwide injunction. However, since a majority of centers are plaintiffs in the ongoing lawsuit, the order’s applicability may still hold for them.
Carter’s ruling also discusses the implications of nationwide injunctions, referencing lower court decisions that indicate such injunctions should address the extent of the violation rather than geographic limitations, given that Job Corps operates across the country, with 99 of its 123 centers involved in the lawsuit.
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