Donald Trump has signed an executive order cutting off all federally funded benefits for illegal immigrants, directing federal agencies to enforce stricter eligibility verification. The order aims to align policies with the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which prohibits most taxpayer-funded benefits for undocumented individuals.
Trump accused previous administrations, particularly Biden’s, of undermining the law and expanding benefits to illegal immigrants, calling taxpayer resources a “magnet” for increased migration. His order requires agencies to review all programs providing cash or non-cash benefits to undocumented individuals and take steps to eliminate them.
The order also targets federal payments to states and local governments that support sanctuary policies. It directs agencies to report improper benefits to the Department of Justice and Homeland Security for further action. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has been tasked with identifying additional federal spending that could be redirected.
Trump has praised Musk’s role in implementing executive orders efficiently, arguing that without DOGE, federal agencies would slow-walk or ignore his directives. The move is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown and is expected to spark significant legal and political debate.
