26-04-2025
Secretary of Labor Warns States Could Lose Federal Funding If Illegal Immigrants Get Unemployment Benefits
U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer warned states of losing federal funding if they fail to comply with President Donald Trump's directives on rewarding illegal immigrants with tax dollars, according to an April 25
'Our nation's unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,' Chavez-DeRemer wrote in a
The secretary reminded all states that failing to fulfill existing legal obligations will result in the loss of federal funding through the Title III UI administrative grant.
The warning is pursuant to presidential memorandum, 'Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits,' and executive order 14218, 'Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.'
Chavez-DeRemer also reminded states of an earlier communication by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, based on which, states can access the DHS immigration
This is a 'critical tool' to ensure 'illegal immigrants do not access our nation's unemployment benefits,' said the labor secretary.
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'As a result of this change, I instructed the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to send a letter to all State Unemployment Insurance Administrators urging them to immediately start using SAVE for every initial and continued claim filed by an individual who indicates that they are not a U.S. citizen,' he said.
The SAVE database is aimed at helping agencies at federal, state, local, and tribal levels to confirm the immigration status and citizenship of individuals before issuing benefits.
A presidential memorandum
An executive
According to a Department of Government Efficiency finding released
The Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts have been met with challenges.
State and local governments with sanctuary policies block or restrict local officials from enforcing federal laws such as those related to immigration.
The lawsuit was filed by over a dozen cities that would be affected by the cancellation of federal funding for 'sanctuary' cities.
In his order, the judge said the administration's attempt amounts to a violation of the Constitution's separation of powers principles and banned the government from any further funding cuts.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is
On April 24, the Department of Agriculture asked states to take steps to this effect.
States were asked to check the identities of people who apply for SNAP, collect their social security numbers, and verify their legal status in the United States.
