On Wednesday, President Trump signed a new executive order aimed at revoking federal benefits for undocumented immigrants in the United States. He characterized these benefits as a misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Details on which specific programs would be impacted by this order remain unclear. The executive order also directs various agencies to identify federal assistance available to individuals residing in the country without legal status.

Typically, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for federal benefits, with only a few exceptions made for emergency circumstances. Many immigrant families are also reluctant to utilize the programs they do qualify for, as noted by the National Immigration Law Center.

This executive action adds to a series of immigration-related measures that Mr. Trump has implemented since the commencement of his second term. These actions include initiatives to deter illegal crossings into the U.S. and enforce stricter measures against undocumented individuals already present in the country.

The President’s recent directive emphasizes that federal resources should not be used to “incentivize or support illegal immigration,” as stated by the White House. It also mandates that federal funds not support “sanctuary” policies, which typically refer to municipalities that limit their cooperation with federal deportation efforts.

The White House further claimed that undocumented migrants have accessed various federal welfare programs and criticized the Biden administration for allegedly spending billions on supporting individuals who have entered the U.S. unlawfully.

Notably, undocumented immigrants have made significant financial contributions, reportedly amounting to tens of billions, to the Social Security system, according to a recent analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a research organization focused on tax issues.

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