### Trump's Second Term: Implications for Education and Immigration Policies

Donald Trump, set to begin his second term, has brought education and immigration to the forefront of his agenda. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, promote school choice, rollback protections for LGBTQ students, and enforce strict immigration policies, including the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants.

Experts and former education officials anticipate significant changes in civil rights enforcement and education funding. The rollback of President Joe Biden's Title IX rules, which granted new protections for transgender students, is widely expected. However, opinions differ on the likelihood of Trump eliminating the U.S. Department of Education altogether and on his progress towards federally supporting school choice, as the balance of power in Congress remains uncertain.

Trump's substantial victory, capturing nearly every swing state and gaining traction among young voters and voters of color, signals potential momentum for his proposed policies. Yet, his ability to move forward depends significantly on congressional control. With the Senate in Republican hands and the House's control still in flux, the path for Trump's agenda is not fully clear. If Democrats seize the House, Trump may need to leverage executive authority more heavily.

Key decisions will also hinge on Trump's choice for education secretary. Whether he selects an experienced administrator or a staunch cultural conservative will greatly influence his educational reform trajectory.

Jim Blew, of the Defense of Freedom Institute and a former Trump administration official, points out the growing momentum among conservatives to abolish the Department of Education. The process would require congressional action but could start with reducing the department’s influence by cutting programs and restricting budgets.

Trump’s immigration policies, which emphasize large-scale deportations and highlight crimes by undocumented immigrants, could have far-reaching effects on school communities. Experts suggest these actions, targeting the estimated 4.4 million children with at least one undocumented parent, would have profound humanitarian implications.

Transgender students might lose recent protections as Trump is expected to revoke Biden's Title IX rules. This involves a complex bureaucratic process that could take time to implement but reflects a broader conservative push against the Biden administration's policies on gender identity and school discipline.

School choice could see a moderate boost under Trump, although previous efforts for a federal tax credit scholarship program faced challenges. The expansion of private school choice has gained ground in Republican-led states, yet significant hurdles remain, including skepticism from rural Republicans and small government conservatives.

The unfolding political landscape will ultimately shape how Trump's second term impacts American education and immigration, with potential implications for millions of students, teachers, and families nationwide.