The Trump administration has announced a significant policy change that will affect illegal immigrants’ ability to access federally funded workforce development resources.
As of today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration issued updated guidelines requiring that all recipients of funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) must verify participants’ work authorization before offering services. This shift, reversing guidance issued under the Biden administration, aims to limit illegal immigrants’ access to taxpayer-funded programs.
This new directive is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restrict the access of illegal immigrants to various benefits, including health care and job assistance programs.
While such programs were already limited for illegal immigrants, the updated rules are expected to further tighten restrictions, ensuring that those receiving federal resources have legal work status.
New Rules Under the WIOA
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was designed to help jobseekers prepare for success in the labor market, will now enforce stricter eligibility requirements.
According to the Department of Labor (DOL), recipients of WIOA funding must confirm that all participants possess valid work authorization before offering services. This measure includes not only job training and employment services but also work-based learning opportunities.
DOL staff are now required to maintain updated documentation proving that participants are legally authorized to work in the United States. This change aligns with the executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, aimed at ending what he described as the “taxpayer subsidization of open borders.”
In practice, it will see federal funds used exclusively for individuals who can prove their legal work status through systems such as E-Verify, a process that already exists for employers to verify the legal status of new hires.
Restrictions on Immigrant Benefits
The new DOL rules are part of a broader strategy that seeks to limit access to government-funded benefits for illegal immigrants. As per the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda, the administration has emphasized restricting access to welfare programs and assistance services for those without legal status.
While many immigrants who are legally present in the U.S. can access services like emergency healthcare, illegal immigrants have traditionally had limited access to government benefits, such as those provided through the WIOA.
The latest changes reflect growing tensions surrounding immigration policy, with the Trump administration continuing to advocate for stricter measures to protect American workers and reduce illegal immigration.
These developments come after the passing of the American Entrepreneurs First Act, which prevents non-citizens from accessing Small Business Administration programs, further demonstrating the administration’s prioritization of legal status for beneficiaries of taxpayer-funded services.