President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to eliminate federal benefits for individuals residing in the U.S. without legal status. The order aims to prevent taxpayer funds from assisting undocumented immigrants, though specific benefits to be cut remain unclear. Generally, such individuals do not receive federal aid, except for emergency medical care and free public education (K-12), as required by a 1982 Supreme Court ruling.
Trump Signs Order Aiming
The order references the 1996 welfare reform law, which originally restricted benefits for unauthorized immigrants but has allegedly weakened over time. It also directs federal agencies to identify spending that contradicts these restrictions and bars grants from supporting sanctuary policies.
Additionally, the order targets Biden-era immigration policies, including parole programs that allowed over 900,000 individuals temporary entry. These programs have since been halted. The broader objective is to reevaluate federal spending and restructure government functions.