President Donald Trump’s administration is tightening the reins on states that extend unemployment benefits to illegal aliens, with Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer vowing to revoke federal grant money from noncompliant states.
In a new letter sent to all 50 states, Chavez-DeRemer made it clear that the Department of Labor (DOL) will enforce Trump’s recent executive orders, “Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits” and “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.” The orders are designed to restrict the use of federal funds for social benefits to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
“It is critical that we ensure American taxpayer dollars do not go towards encouraging or rewarding illegal immigration to the United States,” Chavez-DeRemer wrote. “Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”
The Labor Secretary warned that states which knowingly allow ineligible noncitizens to receive unemployment insurance (UI) could face steep penalties, including the loss of Title III administrative grant funding used to operate state unemployment programs. She emphasized that federal law already requires UI recipients to be legally authorized to work in the U.S., actively seeking employment, and available to work.
The crackdown comes in response to growing concerns over states like New York and Colorado, which reportedly extended pandemic-era unemployment benefits to illegal aliens during the COVID-19 crisis — funded by taxpayers. A 2022 investigation by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) found that these states used emergency relief programs to sidestep traditional eligibility requirements, distributing billions in benefits.
More recently, a preliminary report by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) revealed that several migrants released into the U.S. under President Biden’s controversial parole program had obtained unemployment benefits — despite some being on the FBI’s Terrorist Watch List or having criminal records.
The sanctuary state of California has also repeatedly proposed legislation to provide jobless benefits to illegal immigrants. While some measures have stalled due to legal and budgetary concerns, the push has continued as progressive lawmakers argue for “economic inclusion” of those in the country illegally.
The Trump administration sees the new enforcement policy as a way to hold states accountable and protect the integrity of federal benefit programs. “American workers and taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the economic well-being of those who violate our laws,” a senior Labor Department official told reporters.
The announcement underscores President Trump’s broader immigration agenda during his second term, which includes mass deportations, the end of catch-and-release, and a sweeping overhaul of asylum and parole policies. Supporters say these moves are restoring law and order after what they describe as years of chaos under the Biden administration.
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Does anyone that is legal and votes in AZ think Hobbs is not giving illegal aliens whatever they want? Think again. She is a dimwit nitwit who does cheat. As a retired CPA I have to say she gives herself extra time during elections to manufacture enough votes or bumps on the rollette voting machine to be sure dimwits win in all our elections. Time to vote these cheaters out of the election process! Remember a vote for any dimwit nitwit in AZ gives money from our pockets to illegal aliens. Shut them down! At every election. Come here legally or do not come at all!!