WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education announced on Thursday a sweeping policy shift that will end the use of federal funds to support illegal immigrants in career, technical, and adult education programs. The move, formalized through an interpretive rule published in the Federal Register, reverses guidance issued during the Clinton Administration and aims to align federal education spending with the requirements of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
Under the new interpretation, programs authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will now be classified as federal public benefits. Consequently, eligibility for participation in these programs will be restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain qualified noncitizens.
“Postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Under President Trump’s leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal aliens to participate in our career, technical, or adult education programs or activities. The Department will ensure that taxpayer funds are reserved for citizens and individuals who have entered our country through legal means who meet federal eligibility criteria.”
The decision follows President Trump’s Executive Order 14218, titled Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders, and underscores the administration’s broader push to tighten eligibility for federal benefits. The Department’s action also formally rescinds a 1997 Dear Colleague Letter that had permitted illegal immigrants to access certain educational benefits, a policy the current administration now deems inconsistent with the statutory language and intent of PRWORA.
The interpretive rule does not introduce new legal requirements but clarifies the Department’s current understanding of existing law. While not legally binding, this interpretation will guide the Department’s enforcement and monitoring efforts. Grantees and subgrantees are being instructed to verify participant eligibility to ensure compliance, with enforcement actions not expected to begin before August 9, 2025.
Background materials indicate that Title IV of PRWORA restricts federal public benefits—including postsecondary education assistance—to U.S. citizens and specific categories of qualified aliens. By broadening the definition of programs subject to these restrictions, the Department aims to prevent the distribution of limited federal resources to individuals without legal status.
As part of its rollout, the Department will issue formal communication to all entities receiving Perkins V, AEFLA, and Higher Education Act (HEA) funds, outlining their obligations under the revised interpretation.
The announcement marks a significant policy change intended to reinforce immigration laws and redirect federal resources exclusively to eligible American residents, signaling a continued emphasis on immigration enforcement across federal agencies.
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