Tears streamed steadily down his cheeks as he looked down at his fingers gripping my hand. He replied to my question slowly, taking deep breaths. I had to wait minutes for his response to be translated into English. My question was, “Why was I adopted to the United States?” His response: “You were getting older. Your education was a problem to be solved.” He had heard about children being sent to the United States and being treated well. My birth family believed it was their only option to ensure I went to school. So, they left my infant sister and 5-year-old me at the orphanage with the request to be adopted to the United States.
At a time when immigration issues dominate political discourse, addressing the core reasons why children and families try to reach U.S. borders could be a solution. One of those reasons is access to education.
U.S. partnerships with low-income countries have helped build stronger education systems worldwide. Efforts to increase resources, build infrastructure, and train teachers have seen incredible results. In 2023 alone, USAID investments in global education programs reached 44 million learners. Despite these achievements, 3-out-of-4 children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read or understand simple text. Additionally, nearly half of all school-aged refugee children were out of school in 2024.
Global education programs have strong congressional support. The Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, passed in 2017, has helped the U.S. Government make significant progress in addressing learning loss worldwide by developing a whole-of-government strategy on international basic education. It included key accountability and transparency measures as well. Fortunately, in December 2024, the READ Act was reauthorized for an additional five years. Notably, then-Senator Rubio was a lead sponsor of both the 2017 and the 2023 bipartisan bills. On International Education Day, a bipartisan resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives reaffirming U.S. support for access to quality, inclusive public education for children and young people. The READ Act and bipartisan congressional support continue U.S. efforts to ensure equal access to quality education for children worldwide. Education provides opportunities for children to increase their economic potential and contribute to their communities. It reduces vulnerabilities to trafficking, child marriage, and adolescent pregnancy. However, all these efforts are now under attack amid the funding freeze and dismantling of USAID. Secretary Rubio has yet to issue a funding waiver for basic international education.
Access to education can provide opportunities for children and their families. My birth family and many other families felt the only choice for their children was to immigrate to the United States by any means necessary. USAID’s education programs provide children and families with choices closer to home.