JACL Stands with 541 Organizations to Protect Disability Rights and Civil Rights for America’s Students
June 24, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Matthew Weisbly, Education Programs/Communications Manager, mweisbly@jacl.org
Seia Watanabe, VP of Public Affairs, swatanabe@jacl.org
Policy Fellows: Matthew Marumoto and Katie Masano Hill, policy@jacl.org
JACL joins 541 Organizations in sending a letter expressing our disappointment at the newly announced interagency agreements (IAAs) transferring the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
The transfer of these two departments away from the Department of Education marks an unprecedented disruption to the protection of the rights of students with disabilities and the civil rights of all students. We hope that Congress will take action to support and protect the rights of students nationwide and continue to preserve the Department of Education.
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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
