Weekly Advocacy Brief (Week of May 19): Trans Rights, Refugee Protections, and Student Debt Concerns in Virginia

Week of May 19, 2025

This week has brought a wave of urgent and overlapping policy developments that directly impact social workers, the people we serve, and the values we uphold. From LGBTQIA2S+ rights and immigrant protections to student debt enforcement and federal rollbacks of civil rights, NASW Virginia and NASW Metro DC are closely monitoring and actively responding to these changes.

Trans Rights Under Attack in Virginia

NASWVA submitted formal comments opposing a petition submitted to the Virginia Department of Health by The Family Foundation. The petition seeks to ban transgender women from participating in sports and falsely labels trans women as a threat to the physical and mental health of cisgender women. NASWVA’s response condemned the proposal as a discriminatory effort cloaked in misinformation and warned that it contributes to a dangerous climate of fear and erasure.

Action needed: Comments from the public are open through May 26. Submit a public comment.

Targeting Trans Service Members

The U.S. Department of Defense has revived enforcement policies that could remove transgender individuals from military service. Military commanders are now being instructed to flag trans or gender-diverse individuals during routine health checks, continuing a broader push aligned with the Trump-era ban on transgender service members. These directives endanger careers, destabilize lives, and further marginalize a population already at risk for poor mental health outcomes.

LGBTQIA2S+ Housing Protections Weakened

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has directed its staff to cease all investigations into gender identity discrimination, citing a new executive order that narrowly defines sex-based discrimination as applying only to biological males and females. The rollback is expected to increase housing instability for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, particularly youth. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, one in three LGBTQIA2S+ individuals report experiencing homelessness at some point, and shelters are increasingly described as “unwelcoming.”

TPS Ends for Afghan Refugees

President Trump recently ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals who were evacuated to the U.S. after supporting American military efforts. The change gives tens of thousands of refugees just 60 days to self-deport, despite continued humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan. Virginia is disproportionately affected, having resettled more Afghan TPS recipients per capita than any other state. Social workers, resettlement agencies, and faith-based organizations in the Commonwealth are sounding the alarm as families face separation, homelessness, or forced return.

Student Loan Garnishment to Resume

Federal student loan collections will resume in early June, with garnishments targeting borrowers in default—including wage withholding, seizure of tax refunds, and even Social Security offsets. Older adults are increasingly impacted, with borrowers over age 60 representing the fastest-growing cohort. NASW continues to advocate for relief and encourages members to use their SAVI member benefit to navigate the complex repayment landscape. Learn more about SAVI.

Civil Rights Division Rollbacks at the DOJ

Significant structural changes are underway at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division that may reduce enforcement in key areas such as voting rights, police accountability, and housing. These changes are part of broader federal actions that could erode protections for marginalized communities and reduce oversight of civil rights violations. NASW is working with national coalitions to monitor and respond. Read more on the NASW Social Work Blog.

Social workers are frontline defenders of human rights and dignity. These policies are not theoretical—they impact our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. Stay informed, speak out, and advocate for justice.