Department of Education Revokes Funding Access for Illegal Immigrants
On Thursday, the Department of Education (DE) announced the cancellation of regulations from the Clinton era that had permitted illegal immigrants to access federal funding for technical and career education programs.
According to the Trump administration, these earlier rules contradicted the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). The DE communicated to post-secondary education providers that they’re expected to verify the eligibility of participants by current standards, discarding the previous interpretations from the Clinton administration.
“Federal-funded postsecondary education should primarily benefit American citizens rather than those here illegally,” stated Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “Under President Trump’s guidance, American taxpayers are now protected from covering costs for illegal immigrants who want to participate in career and skills education programs. Our department is committed to ensuring that public funds support lawful residents who meet federal eligibility criteria.”
Notably, President Trump had earlier issued a directive on February 19 aimed at terminating taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants.
PRWORA primarily restricts federal public benefits to American citizens and lawful permanent residents. However, a previous exemption from the Clinton administration in 1997 had allowed certain post-secondary programs to bypass these restrictions. The Trump DE characterized this exemption as a misinterpretation of the law, claiming it created unnecessary distinctions regarding federal benefits based on how assistance was provided.
Starting August 9, 2025, the DE plans to initiate these new interpretations of the rules.
In recent times, the Trump administration has been actively opposing states that provide special educational benefits to illegal immigrants, even filing lawsuits against those that offer in-state tuition rates at universities. Some institutions, however, are still finding ways to support illegal immigrants, attempting to shield them from deportation while providing additional benefits that run counter to the Trump administration’s policies.
In a related development on June 30, the government announced a significant revocation of nearly $7 billion in federal grants, which had been partially allocated for English as a Second Language programs. The Trump administration claimed these funds had been used to promote a “radical left agenda,” alleging that some resources were directed towards facilitating illegal immigration.
