US President Donald Trump Takes a Step to Halt Federal Aid to Certain Immigrants
In a recent move, President Donald Trump signed an order to halter federal benefits for individuals residing illegally within the US.
The White House made the official announcement on Wednesday, and it is deemed the latest move in a series of actions intended to strengthen immigration control.
The White House statement expresses that the goal of the order is to terminate “all taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.
” However, it remains uncertain as to which specific benefits will be affected. Generally, individuals staying illegally in the country are not eligible for benefits, barring emergency medical attention.
Under a Supreme Court ruling in 1982, children are entitled to a free K-12 public education, irrespective of their immigration status.
The signed order highlights a 1996 welfare reform denying most public benefits to individuals residing illegally in the country.
It further adds that the last 4 years have gradually eroded the law. It calls out the prior administration for repeatedly compromising the law’s objectives, leading to “the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources.”
Trump’s statements seem to be a response to former President Joe Biden’s prolific use of parole authority, which allowed temporary residence for over 900,000 individuals using an online appointment app known as CBP One at Mexico border crossings, and over 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who flew to the US on their own accord with a financial sponsor.
Trump immediately terminated both programs.
At the same time, Biden also granted parole to nearly 300,000 individuals from Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Those granted parole for a minimum of a year are regarded as “qualified non-citizens,” making them eligible for certain income-based benefits, but only after five years.
These benefits include Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which offers coverage to children from families with earnings exceeding the Medicaid qualifications, per the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Some states have reduced the five-year waiting period. In addition, Trump’s order has other objectives, some of which have already been the subjects of previous orders and Justice Department lawsuits.
The order instructs all departments and agencies to identify federal benefit expenditures contradicting the 1996 welfare law.
It also aims to make sure that state and local governments are not utilizing federal funds for policies that support “sanctuary” policies or encourage illegal immigration.
On his first day in office, Trump signed 10 executive orders about immigration, which include ending automatic citizenship for individuals born in the United States and asylum at the southern border.
The order regarding birthright citizenship has been temporarily paused in court.
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