Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders
Signed: February 19, 2025
Published: February 25, 2025
Document Number: 2025-03137
đSummary
This executive order directs federal agencies to review their programs and, as allowed by law, stop taxpayer-funded cash and non-cash benefits from going to people who are in the United States unlawfully. It affects federal departments and agencies that run benefit programs, as well as states and localities that receive federal funds, by requiring agencies to ensure federal payments do not support policies or practices that encourage or subsidize unlawful immigration. Agencies must identify programs that currently allow such benefits, tighten eligibility checks, and align program rules with existing federal limits, including the 1996 welfare law referenced in the order. Within 30 days, the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. DOGE Service must identify other federal funding sources benefiting unlawfully present immigrants and recommend further changes, and agencies must refer suspected improper benefit use to the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
đźBusiness Impact
This order most directly affects businesses that touch federally funded benefits or state/local programs funded with federal dollarsâhealthcare providers (hospitals, clinics, Medicaid/CHIP contractors), social-service nonprofits, government contractors administering benefits, and state/local vendors in âsanctuaryâ jurisdictionsâbecause agencies are directed to tighten eligibility rules and verification and to scrutinize whether federal payments indirectly support unlawful presence. Expect increased compliance requirements around immigration/eligibility verification (more documentation checks, system upgrades, audits, and potential referrals to DOJ/DHS for improper benefit use), plus opportunities for vendors that provide identity/eligibility verification, case-management, and fraud-detection tools to agencies and grantees. Immediate actions: map where your revenue depends on federal or pass-through federal funding, review your intake/eligibility and recordkeeping processes against PRWORA âqualified alienâ rules, prepare for audits by strengthening documentation and staff training, and monitor OMB/DOGE guidance within 30 days for program-specific changes that could alter reimbursement, grant terms, or contract requirements.
Full Text
Executive Order 14218 of February 19, 2025
Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1 . Purpose. The plain text of Federal law, including the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) (PRWORA), generally prohibits illegal aliens from obtaining most taxpayer-funded benefits. Title IV of the PRWORA states that it is national policy that “aliens within the Nation's borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs,” and that “[i]t is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits.” But in the decades since the passage of the PRWORA, numerous administrations have acted to undermine the principles and limitations directed by the Congress through that law. Over the last 4 years, in particular, the prior administration repeatedly undercut the goals of that law, resulting in the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources. My Administration will uphold the rule of law, defend against the waste of hard-earned taxpayer resources, and protect benefits for American citizens in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.
Sec. 2 . Preserving Federal Public Benefits. (a) To prevent taxpayer resources from acting as a magnet and fueling illegal immigration to the United States, and to ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens, the head of each executive department or agency (agency) shall:
(i) identify all federally funded programs administered by the agency that currently permit illegal aliens to obtain any cash or non-cash public benefit, and, consistent with applicable law, take all appropriate actions to align such programs with the purposes of this order and the requirements of applicable Federal law, including the PRWORA;
(ii) ensure, consistent with applicable law, that Federal payments to States and localities do not, by design or effect, facilitate the subsidization or promotion of illegal immigration, or abet so-called “sanctuary” policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation; and
(iii) enhance eligibility verification systems, to the maximum extent possible, to ensure that taxpayer-funded benefits exclude any ineligible alien who entered the United States illegally or is otherwise unlawfully present in the United States.
(b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Administrator of the United States DOGE Service, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, shall further:
(i) identify all other sources of Federal funding for illegal aliens; and
(ii) recommend additional agency actions to align Federal spending with the purposes of this order, and, where relevant, enhance eligibility verification systems.
(c) Agencies shall refer any improper receipt or use of Federal benefits to the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security for appropriate action. ( printed page 10582)
Sec. 3 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 19, 2025.