The Biden-era practice of offering taxpayer-funded education programs to illegal immigrants has ended. The Department of Education has reversed a Clinton-era policy that bypassed federal law to extend benefits to those not legally in the country.
Key Facts:
- The Department of Education has revoked a Clinton-era policy that gave illegal immigrants access to taxpayer-funded postsecondary education benefits.
- The change ensures compliance with the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA).
- Programs affected include career, technical, and adult education initiatives funded by the federal government.
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the move stops taxpayer dollars from supporting those in the U.S. illegally.
- The new policy reserves funding for U.S. citizens and legal residents who meet federal eligibility requirements.
The Rest of The Story:
The U.S. Department of Education announced that it will no longer provide taxpayer-funded education benefits to illegal immigrants through postsecondary programs.
This decision repeals a “Dear Colleague” letter issued during the Clinton administration that had allowed illegal immigrants to access federal education benefits by creating artificial distinctions in how aid was categorized.
According to the department, the Clinton-era guidance misinterpreted the 1996 welfare reform law—PRWORA—by exempting certain programs based on how assistance was delivered.
That interpretation was not grounded in the actual language of the law, which does not differentiate based on funding mechanisms.
The rule change focuses on career, technical, and adult education programs that receive federal funding.
Moving forward, these benefits will only be available to individuals who are lawfully present in the United States.
“Postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
She emphasized that under President Trump’s direction, “hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill” for non-citizens who entered the country illegally.
The Department stated it is committed to ensuring federal dollars are used according to law and focused on those who are legally eligible.
It was unacceptable that our tax dollars were being funneled to illegal immigrants to support their post-secondary education programs.
Today, that ends. Thanks to the Trump Administration’s commitment to putting American citizens first, taxpayer funds will no longer be used to…
— Congressman Ben Cline (@RepBenCline) July 10, 2025
Commentary:
This policy correction has been long overdue.
American taxpayers should not be funding the education of individuals who have entered the country illegally.
It’s a matter of principle, legality, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
The 1996 PRWORA law was clear: federal benefits are reserved for U.S. citizens and certain eligible non-citizens.
Yet, for decades, bureaucratic interpretations have chipped away at that clarity, allowing benefits to be extended through technical loopholes.
The Clinton-era letter was one such loophole—and now it’s closed.
Taxpayer-funded programs are not infinite.
Every dollar spent subsidizing illegal immigration is a dollar not available for American citizens struggling to get ahead through job training or adult education.
At a time when millions of Americans are trying to upskill, limiting resources to those lawfully eligible is both practical and just.
The scale of illegal immigration under the Biden administration has added urgency to this issue.
With millions of border crossers and thousands resettled across the country, the financial burden is enormous.
This move by the Department of Education is a responsible effort to safeguard public resources and enforce existing law.
Linda McMahon’s statement underscores the new direction: putting Americans first.
The Education Department isn’t denying anyone opportunity—it’s simply aligning benefits with citizenship and legal status, as the law requires.
This shift also sends a message: entering the U.S. illegally does not entitle someone to the same benefits as those who follow the rules.
Restoring that principle is essential for maintaining fairness and trust in the system.
The Trump administration’s approach is straightforward—restore the rule of law, respect taxpayers, and prioritize citizens.
If other departments follow this model, the nation will save billions while reinforcing long-neglected boundaries.
The Bottom Line:
The Department of Education has reversed a Clinton-era policy that wrongly gave illegal immigrants access to federal education benefits.
Only U.S. citizens and legal residents will now qualify for these programs.
This policy change ensures compliance with longstanding federal law and protects taxpayers from footing the bill for those in the country illegally.
It’s a move that restores fairness and upholds the rule of law.
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