President Donald Trump is ending an array of federal benefits for illegal aliens, taking away incentives for people to enter the United States without permission.
The new restrictions target a Clinton-era welfare law, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which closed off many public benefits to illegal aliens. Clinton's interpretation of that law still allowed illegal aliens to receive some benefits.
The Trump administration says that Clinton's "Dear Colleague" letter twisted Congress' intent by allowing illegal aliens to receive public assistance.
"In doing so, the Department’s interpretation mischaracterized the law by creating artificial distinctions between federal benefit programs based upon the method of assistance. Congress made no such distinction in PRWORA," a Department of Education press release said.
The administration revoked Clinton's interpretation, making it clear that illegal aliens cannot receive public benefits under PRWORA. The administration estimates the reforms will save about $40 billion.
It's all part of Trump's sweeping, whole-of-government effort to prioritize Americans' interests and make the United States inhospitable to illegal immigrants, who have long imposed significant burdens on housing, healthcare, and education in the United States.
The Department of Education said it is ending subsidized career, technical, and adult education for illegal aliens, and the Department is clarifying that illegal aliens cannot access Pell Grants or student loans.
The administration is also restricting programs administered through Health and Human Services, such as Head Start, which provides preschool, and community health centers that many immigrants rely on for medical care.
Members of Trump's Cabinet hailed the changes, saying they put Americans first and remove incentives for illegal immigration.
"For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans’ tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said in a statement. “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."
"Postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens," said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
"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. The Department will ensure that taxpayer funds are reserved for citizens and individuals who have entered our country through legal means who meet federal eligibility criteria," she added.
The changes are in response to Trump's February order, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders," which directed federal agencies to bring federal benefits programs into alignment with PRWORA.
"In the decades since the passage of the PRWORA, numerous administrations have acted to undermine the principles and limitations directed by the Congress through that law. 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," Trump's order states.
