The US Department of Education announced on Thursday, July 10th, that it will terminate the policy of providing benefits for illegal foreign nationals to participate in vocational, technical, and adult education programs for free.
The Education Department issued an explanatory rule, stating that the policy enacted during the Clinton administration to fund vocational, technical, and adult education programs allowed illegal foreign nationals to access federal public benefits, which violates the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA).
Furthermore, the Education Department also informed universities that higher education programs authorized by the Higher Education Act (HEA), such as Pell Grants and student loans, will continue to remain closed to illegal foreign nationals.
The Education Department emphasized that educational institutions have an “obligation to verify the eligibility of participants.”
Previously, the PRWORA stipulated that the use of federal funds was limited to US citizens, permanent residents, and a small subset of “qualified aliens” (e.g., refugees, asylum seekers).
During the Clinton administration, higher education programs were granted exemptions, placing them outside the scope of the regulations.
The Trump administration’s Education Department stated that this exemption “distorted the law, artificially creating distinctions between federal welfare programs based on the form of assistance.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, if the federal government is to fund higher education programs, it should “benefit American citizens, not illegal foreign nationals.”
She said, “Under President Trump’s leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal foreign nationals to participate in American vocational, technical, or adult education programs or activities.”
“The Education Department will ensure that taxpayer funds are used specifically for citizens and individuals who legally enter the country and meet federal eligibility standards,” she added.
On June 30th, the Trump administration announced the revocation of nearly $7 billion in federal funding, with a portion going towards teaching English as a second language. The government claimed that this funding was being used to promote a “radical leftist agenda.”
Despite facing threats from the government, some schools continue to provide benefits for illegal immigrants and protect them from being deported.
The Education Department’s new interpretation of the rules from the Clinton era will take effect on August 9, 2025.