States warned federal funding is in jeopardy if illegal immigrants are collecting unemployment benefits
The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded benefits, warning states that they may lose federal funding if they allow such individuals to collect unemployment benefits. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has emphasized that unemployment benefits are strictly for eligible workers who are legally authorized to work in the United States. She has urged state governors to verify the immigration status of applicants using the SAVE database to ensure compliance with federal directives. Additionally, the USDA is taking measures to stop illegal immigrants from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. HUD Secretary Scott Turner has also reiterated the administration's priority to ensure that government-funded housing benefits are reserved for American citizens only.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer warned states that allowing illegal immigrants to collect unemployment benefits could result in the loss of federal funding, stressing that these benefits are intended only for eligible workers who are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Chavez-DeRemer has urged governors to use the SAVE database, an online tool for verifying immigration status, to ensure that applicants for unemployment benefits and other licenses are legally authorized to receive them.
The Trump administration's crackdown extends beyond unemployment benefits, as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced actions to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner has highlighted the administration's focus on prioritizing American citizens for government-funded housing, stating the need to end the practice of serving only one out of four Americans who should be eligible for such housing.
There is a concerted effort by the administration to ensure that taxpayer-funded programs, including housing and nutrition assistance, are reserved for American citizens and eligible legal residents, reflecting a broader immigration enforcement agenda.