In an effort to curb illegal immigration, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order focused on eliminating federal benefits for those residing in the country without legal permission.
The intention behind this order is to end any use of taxpayer funds to assist those living in the country unlawfully, although specifics on which benefits will be curtailed are not yet clear. Generally, individuals without legal status do not receive federal benefits, with exceptions for emergency medical services. Moreover, under a 1982 supreme court decision, children are entitled to free public education from kindergarten through 12th grade, irrespective of their immigration status.
The executive order references a 1996 welfare reform law, which initially set limitations on public benefits for unauthorized immigrants, but suggests that the law has been gradually weakened over time. According to the order, the previous administration compromised this law significantly, resulting in considerable taxpayer resources being improperly spent.
This move appears to aim at reversing actions by former President Joe Biden, who had used his parole powers extensively. Under Biden’s administration, more than 900,000 individuals gained temporary entry into the U.S. via an online appointment system known as CBP One at border crossings with Mexico, in addition to over 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entering the country. These programs have since been halted by Trump.
Under Biden, nearly 300,000 individuals from Ukraine and Afghanistan were also granted parole. Those granted parole for a year or more become “qualified non-citizens,” making them eligible for certain benefits based on income, like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but only after a minimum of five years, as explained by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Some states may reduce this waiting period.
The order suggests other targets too, focusing on identifying federal spending that conflicts with the 1996 welfare reform and preventing federal grants from being used by state and local governments to support policies that encourage illegal immigration or “sanctuary” policies.
On his first day in office, Trump had already signed ten executive orders on immigration, aiming to abolish automatic citizenship for those born in the U.S. and asylum at the southern border. However, the birthright citizenship rule has faced legal challenges, suspending its implementation.
Another order issued recently, calls for agency heads to review existing regulations in coordination with members of a government efficiency team led by Elon Musk. Policies not aligning with the administration’s goals could be rescinded or altered, expanding government’s efficiency while facing legal scrutiny.
The executive order also addresses dismantling several advisory committees and agencies, to reinforce control over independent executive agencies. Targeted for closure are the United States Institute for Peace, responsible for fostering international conflict resolution; the Inter-American Foundation, which supports community initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean; and the US African Development Foundation, known for investing in community projects across Africa.
This sweeping measure reflects the administration’s broader objective to reevaluate and reshape federal government functions.
