President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday night aimed at cutting off all federally funded benefits for undocumented immigrants, expanding his administration's aggressive stance on immigration enforcement. The order directs federal agencies to identify and eliminate any programs providing cash or non-cash public benefits to illegal immigrants, reinforcing a law passed in 1996 but, according to Trump, undermined by successive administrations.
"My Administration will uphold the rule of law, defend against the waste of hard-earned taxpayer resources, and protect benefits for American citizens in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans," the order states.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, generally prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving federal benefits. However, Trump contends that loopholes and policy decisions over the years have allowed significant taxpayer resources to be improperly allocated, which he argues has served as a "magnet" for illegal immigration.
The order requires all federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of programs that provide benefits to undocumented immigrants and take corrective action to bring them into compliance with PRWORA and other federal statutes. Agencies are also instructed to enhance eligibility verification systems to the "maximum extent possible", ensuring undocumented individuals do not receive assistance.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has been tasked with identifying all federal funding sources benefiting undocumented immigrants and recommending additional steps to curtail such expenditures. DOGE's findings could serve as the basis for further policy changes or legal actions.
Trump's order also takes aim at state and local governments, directing federal agencies to ensure that no federal funds are used to "subsidize or promote illegal immigration", including those supporting so-called "sanctuary" policies that protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Federal officials must refer any improper benefits distribution to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for potential legal action.
The move comes amid Trump's broader push to tighten immigration laws, which has included declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying active-duty troops, and proposing mass deportations. It also follows his attempt to end birthright citizenship, a move currently stalled in court due to multiple lawsuits from civil rights groups and Democratic attorneys general who argue it violates the 14th Amendment.
The Trump administration has praised Musk and DOGE for accelerating the implementation of executive orders that, according to the president, would have otherwise been delayed or ignored by career federal employees.
The order could face legal challenges, particularly over how agencies define and enforce eligibility verification. Critics argue that the executive action could lead to denials of benefits for mixed-status families or legal residents who may face bureaucratic hurdles proving their status.
While Trump's order does not specify which programs will be immediately affected, past debates over undocumented immigrants' access to benefits have focused on health care, education subsidies, and emergency food assistance. The directive is expected to impact millions of immigrants who rely on state and local programs with partial federal funding.
Federal agencies must submit their initial findings within 90 days, outlining specific measures to eliminate benefits for undocumented immigrants and ensure compliance with PRWORA.
