US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at identifying and eliminating federal funds being used for undocumented migrants, according to a White House fact sheet released on Wednesday. The order “directs Federal departments and agencies to identify all federally funded programs currently providing financial benefits to illegal aliens and take corrective action,” the fact sheet stated.
In addition, the order emphasizes that “it ensures that Federal funds to states and localities will not be used to support ‘sanctuary’ policies or assist illegal immigration.” It also “mandates improvements in eligibility verification to prevent benefits from going to individuals unlawfully present in the United States,” thereby ensuring that “taxpayer resources are not used to incentivize or support illegal immigration.”
This executive order represents the latest in a series of immigration-related actions initiated since Trump took office last month. The New York Times reported that undocumented immigrants are largely not eligible for federal benefits, with only certain emergency situations permitting exceptions.
