Trump Administration Moves to Restrict Federal Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants
Long before the official announcements surfaced, shifts were already underway in Washington. Internal communications circulated quietly, late-night meetings stretched into early morning, and senior officials hinted at an impending overhaul described as “major immigration corrections.”
By the time the Treasury Department made its statement on November 28, it was evident that these changes were not minor adjustments—they were part of a coordinated effort being executed behind closed doors.
The Trump administration has unveiled a new initiative aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from receiving federal benefits.
“We are taking steps to ensure federal benefits are reserved for U.S. citizens and to eliminate access for those living in the country unlawfully,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote in a post on X on November 28. “There is no place in our financial system for individuals without legal status.”
Bessent outlined plans for proposed rules that would clarify that certain refundable tax credits will no longer be accessible to non-qualified foreign nationals. This includes the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the Saver’s Match Credit.
The Treasury announcement came just one day after President Donald Trump criticized the current immigration system in his Thanksgiving message. Trump claimed that the U.S. hosts 53 million foreign-born residents, “most of whom rely on welfare or come from destabilized regions, prisons, mental health institutions, gangs, or drug cartels.”
“They and their children are supported by patriotic American citizens, who, because of their generosity, do not complain openly,” he wrote.
“Yet this strain is tearing our country apart. A migrant earning $30,000 with a green card will receive about $50,000 in benefits for their family.”
Thanksgiving week also saw several immigration-related directives from the administration, including a major statement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on November 28.
“USCIS has paused all asylum decisions until we can ensure every applicant undergoes thorough vetting and screening,” USCIS Director Joseph Edlow posted on X. “American safety must always come first.”
The agency additionally announced a full review of all existing Green Cards.
“At the direction of the President, I have ordered a rigorous reexamination of every Green Card issued to individuals from countries of concern,” Edlow wrote. “Protecting the American people is our top priority, and taxpayers should not shoulder the consequences of past administration policies.”
Earlier, on November 26, USCIS halted all immigration processing for Afghan nationals. This decision followed a shooting near the White House involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who previously worked with the CIA. The attack killed Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, critically injured.
Taken together, the Treasury Department’s restrictions, USCIS’s asylum freeze, and the comprehensive Green Card review indicate a sweeping tightening of federal immigration policy. While officials argue these measures are crucial for national security, critics question the rapid pace and lack of transparency, leaving many to wonder what additional steps might be next. One certainty remains: the administration’s immigration overhaul is far from complete, and its broader impact is just beginning to unfold.