Former President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order aimed at redirecting federal taxpayer funds away from supporting illegal immigrants. This action seeks to curtail the allocation of federal resources to individuals residing in the U.S. without legal authorization.
The executive order mandates a comprehensive review by all federal agencies to pinpoint programs currently providing financial assistance to illegal immigrants and implement corrective measures. A key objective is to prevent federal funding provided to states and local governments from being utilized to support sanctuary city policies or facilitate illegal immigration.
Furthermore, the order will enforce stricter eligibility verification procedures to ensure that federal benefits are exclusively distributed to eligible recipients. This measure aims to prevent the misuse of taxpayer dollars and safeguard resources for those legally entitled to them.
This initiative underscores Trump's commitment to prioritizing American citizens, particularly those facing vulnerabilities like individuals with disabilities and veterans, when allocating federal public health benefits. The White House emphasizes that the influx of illegal immigration has placed a strain on resources and services intended for American citizens.
Citing estimates from the House Homeland Security Committee, the White House indicates that the financial burden on taxpayers for supporting illegal immigrants and those who have evaded border control since January 2021 could reach a staggering $451 billion.
This executive order is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to address illegal immigration, encompassing law enforcement operations and other measures to control the entry of undocumented individuals into the United States.
The White House also highlighted data from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), estimating an annual cost of at least $182 billion to American taxpayers to support the estimated 20 million illegal immigrants and their children residing in the country. This cost reportedly includes $66.5 billion in federal expenditures and $115.6 billion at the state and local levels.
