Ending Taxpayer Funding for Open Borders Policies
Published Date: 2/25/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
This new order stops taxpayer money from helping people who are in the U.S. illegally get government benefits. It affects all federal agencies, which must now check their programs and tighten rules to keep benefits for Americans only. Starting right away, this will save taxpayer dollars and support citizens like veterans and people with disabilities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Agencies must block benefits to illegal aliens
By Executive Order signed February 19, 2025, the head of each executive department or agency must identify any federally funded programs that currently permit illegal aliens to receive cash or non-cash public benefits and, consistent with law, take actions to align those programs with the order and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). The order directs agencies to ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that taxpayer-funded benefits go only to qualified individuals.
Federal payments barred from subsidizing sanctuary policies
The order directs agencies, consistent with law, to ensure Federal payments to States and localities do not, by design or effect, facilitate the subsidization or promotion of illegal immigration or abet so-called 'sanctuary' policies. This requirement applies to federal payments and grants administered by executive departments and agencies.
Stricter eligibility verification for benefits
The order directs agencies to enhance eligibility verification systems, to the maximum extent possible, so that taxpayer-funded benefits exclude any ineligible alien who entered the United States illegally or is otherwise unlawfully present. Agencies must tighten checks consistent with applicable law to verify who is eligible for federal benefits.
Improper benefit use referred for enforcement
The order requires agencies to refer any improper receipt or use of Federal benefits to the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security for appropriate action. Agencies are instructed to report suspected improper benefit use for enforcement and legal follow-up.
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Key Dates
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