President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designed to curtail federal benefits for individuals residing in the United States illegally. The order, signed recently, aims to eliminate "all taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens," although specifics regarding which benefits will be targeted remain unclear. This action represents part of a broader strategy to reinforce the 1996 welfare overhaul, which originally denied most public benefits to undocumented immigrants.
Under current federal law, individuals granted parole for at least one year are considered "qualified non-citizens," allowing them access to certain income-based benefits after a five-year period. However, some states have opted to shorten this waiting period. Trump's order contends that the 1996 welfare reform has been systematically weakened over time, necessitating a review. It directs all federal departments and agencies to pinpoint benefit spending that deviates from the original welfare legislation.
The executive order also acknowledges a 1982 Supreme Court ruling that guarantees children a free K-12 public education irrespective of immigration status. Furthermore, the order seems to target other areas already scrutinized by earlier directives and ongoing Justice Department lawsuits. This move aligns with efforts spearheaded by Elon Musk's department of government efficiency, which is collaborating with agency heads to reassess all regulations.
"Over the last 4 years, in particular, the prior administration repeatedly undercut the goals of that law, resulting in the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources." – Donald Trump
On his first day in office, Trump issued ten executive orders addressing immigration matters, underscoring his administration's focus on this contentious issue. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has granted parole to nearly 900,000 individuals through an online system called CBP One for border crossings with Mexico. Additionally, Biden has extended parole to over 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans arriving in the U.S. independently with financial sponsorship.