Trump orders halt to all federal funding benefiting undocumented migrants

Washington DC - President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at identifying and eliminating federal funds being used for undocumented migrants, the White House said.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in a bid to stop any federal funds benefitting people without documentation.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in a bid to stop any federal funds benefitting people without documentation.  © REUTERS

The order "directs Federal departments and agencies to identify all federally funded programs currently providing financial benefits to illegal aliens and take corrective action," according to a White House fact sheet issued on Wednesday.

"It ensures that Federal funds to states and localities will not be used to support 'sanctuary' policies or assist illegal immigration," the document said.

It also "mandates improvements in eligibility verification to prevent benefits from going to individuals unlawfully present in the United States."

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The order is to ensure that "taxpayer resources are not used to incentivize or support illegal immigration," it added.

The order is the latest in a string of anti-immigrant actions since Trump took office last month, vowing to implement a harsh agenda of mass detentions and deportations.

The New York Times reported that undocumented immigrants are largely not eligible for federal benefits, with only some exceptions allowed for emergency situations.

Cover photo: REUTERS

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