Abdelrahman
Donald Trump Signs Executive Order to Eliminate Federal Benefits for Unauthorized Immigrants
Former President Donald Trump has enacted a new executive order aimed at terminating federal benefits for individuals residing in the United States without legal authorization. This move is part of a broader initiative to enforce stricter immigration policies.
According to the White House, the order intends to end "all taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens," although specific benefits targeted for elimination have yet to be clarified. Typically, those living in the country without legal status do not qualify for most public assistance programs, with the exception of emergency medical care. Notably, a landmark Supreme Court ruling from 1982 ensures that children can receive free public K-12 education regardless of their immigration status.
The executive order references a welfare reform from 1996 that restricts most public benefits for unauthorized immigrants, and it asserts that this law has been consistently eroded over recent years. The order claims, "The prior administration’s actions over the last four years have undermined the intents of this law, causing significant taxpayer resources to be misallocated."
Trump’s statements appear to be a direct response to former President Joe Biden’s extensive use of parole authority, which has allowed many individuals into the U.S. temporarily. This includes over 900,000 individuals who used an appointment system called CBP One at the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as more than 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. with financial sponsorship. Trump has promptly ended both of these programs.
Biden’s administration also granted parole to nearly 300,000 individuals from Ukraine and Afghanistan. Parolees who remain for at least a year are classified as "qualified non-citizens" and can access certain income-based benefits after a five-year waiting period. These benefits include Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides healthcare to children in families that exceed Medicaid income limits, as outlined by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Some states, however, have reduced the waiting period.
The recent executive order appears to extend its focus to other existing initiatives and ongoing legal challenges. It instructs all federal departments and agencies to pinpoint benefit expenditures that do not comply with the 1996 welfare act. Additionally, the order aims to prevent state and local governments from utilizing federal funds to support "sanctuary" policies or encourage illegal immigration.
On his first day in office, Trump had previously signed ten immigration-related executive orders. These included actions to revoke automatic citizenship for individuals born in the U.S. and curtail asylum processes at the southern border. The order concerning birthright citizenship is currently on hold due to legal challenges.
In another directive issued this week, Trump mandated that heads of federal agencies conduct a thorough review of existing regulations, collaborating with members from Elon Musk’s efficiency-focused department. Any regulations found to oppose the administration’s objectives are to be repealed or adjusted.
This course of action supports Musk’s aggressive efforts to streamline government operations, which are currently facing various judicial challenges concerning their legality.
Additionally, Trump has targeted several advisory committees and agencies for termination, as part of his overarching strategy to exert control over independent executive entities. Agencies slated for dissolution include the United States Institute for Peace, which focuses on global conflict resolution; the Inter-American Foundation, which backs community development initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean; and the U.S. African Development Foundation, which invests in community growth projects across Africa.
Contributions from Associated Press and Reuters.
