Trump’s working to make America great again. His policies are helping him accomplish that goal.
And Donald Trump just declared a new policy that will benefit millions of Americans.
Trump Administration Looking to Crack Down on Illegal Immigrant Access to Taxpayer-Funded Benefits
In a move to reshape federal spending, the Trump administration announced sweeping changes on Thursday to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded programs, including educational and healthcare benefits. The policy overhaul, spearheaded by multiple federal agencies, is projected to save approximately $40 billion by redirecting resources to American citizens and legal residents.
The Departments of Education, Agriculture, Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services (HHS) each issued statements outlining their commitment to the new restrictions. HHS described the shift as a “significant policy shift” aimed at ensuring that “taxpayer-funded program benefits intended for the American people are not diverted to subsidize illegal aliens.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the administration’s focus on prioritizing American taxpayers. “Under President Trump’s leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal aliens to participate in our career, technical, or adult education programs or activities,” she said.
Her department vowed to reserve funds for citizens and legally eligible individuals, particularly for programs like Pell Grants and student loans under the Higher Education Act.
The Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, took steps to curb access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for migrants. Rollins criticized past leniency, stating, “The generosity of the American taxpayer has long been abused by faulty interpretations of 1996 welfare reform law.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor moved to block migrants from accessing workforce development grants, ensuring these resources support American workers.
The financial burden of supporting migrants has largely fallen on states and cities, with New York City alone spending at least $3 billion since 2022 to house migrants, including in upscale venues like The Row hotel. Last year, the city received $81 million from FEMA to offset these costs.
At the core of these changes is a reinterpretation (by the Clinton administration) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), which originally allowed non-citizens to have some access to certain benefits.
The Trump administration has reversed these Clinton-era policies, reclassifying programs like Head Start as “federal public benefits” under PRWORA. HHS Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison explained, “Head Start’s classification under the new PRWORA interpretation puts American families first by ensuring taxpayer-funded benefits are reserved for eligible individuals.”
This policy shift aligns with President Trump’s aggressive “no amnesty” immigration stance, which has also seen actions like cracking down on states offering educational privileges to illegal immigrants and opening “Alligator Alcatraz,” a new detention facility in Florida’s swamps.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. framed the changes as a matter of fairness and legality, stating, “For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans’ tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration.”
“Today’s action changes that—it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people.”
The changes stem from a February executive order directing agencies to identify and realign federally funded programs that previously allowed illegal immigrants to access benefits. President Trump has long argued that PRWORA’s intent to limit such access was undermined by prior administrations.
He specifically criticized his predecessor for policies that led to “the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources.”
By tightening these regulations, the administration aims to restore fiscal responsibility and prioritize American citizens, signaling a firm commitment to reshaping immigration and welfare policy.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
