Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders

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.

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.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    February 19, 2025.