Trump Signs Order Aiming

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at eliminating federal benefits for individuals residing in the United States without legal permission. The order seeks to prevent the use of taxpayer funds to assist those living unlawfully in the country, although specific benefits to be curtailed are not yet clear. Generally, individuals without legal status do not receive federal benefits, except for emergency medical services and free public education for children from kindergarten through 12th grade, as mandated by a 1982 Supreme Court decision. The order references a 1996 welfare reform law that initially set limitations on public benefits for unauthorized immigrants but suggests that the law has been weakened over time, resulting in improper spending of taxpayer resources.

The executive order appears to target actions taken by former President Joe Biden, who extensively used his parole powers to grant temporary entry to over 900,000 individuals via an online appointment system at border crossings with Mexico and more than 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These programs have since been halted by Trump. Additionally, nearly 300,000 individuals from Ukraine and Afghanistan were granted parole under Biden, making them eligible for certain benefits after a minimum of five years. The order also aims to identify federal spending that conflicts with the 1996 welfare reform and prevent federal grants from supporting policies that encourage illegal immigration or “sanctuary” policies. The administration’s broader objective is to reevaluate and reshape federal government functions, including dismantling several advisory committees and agencies.