President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to eliminate federal benefits for individuals residing in the U.S. without legal status. The order aims to prevent taxpayer funds from being used to support those living unlawfully in the country, though the specific benefits to be cut remain unclear. Generally, undocumented individuals do not qualify for federal benefits, except for emergency medical care and free public education, as mandated by a 1982 Supreme Court ruling. The order cites a 1996 welfare reform law that originally restricted public benefits for unauthorized immigrants but claims the law has been weakened over time, leading to improper taxpayer spending.

The executive order also targets policies implemented by former President Joe Biden, particularly his use of parole powers to allow temporary entry for over 900,000 individuals through an online system at the U.S.-Mexico border and over 500,000 from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These programs have now been revoked by Trump. Additionally, nearly 300,000 individuals from Ukraine and Afghanistan received parole under Biden, gaining eligibility for some benefits after five years. The order further seeks to prevent federal grants from funding policies that promote illegal immigration or sanctuary cities, as part of a broader effort to restructure federal government operations.