The Donald Trump administration is increasing pressure on U.S. states by warning that they could lose important federal funding if they do not cooperate with immigration authorities and report people who are in the country without legal status.
The move follows a new legal opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice, which says states receiving federal welfare funding through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must report known undocumented immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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The new interpretation expands the reporting responsibility beyond the agencies directly responsible for administering welfare programs, potentially involving other state departments that may have information about a person’s immigration status.
What could states lose if they refuse to comply?
The Justice Department warns that states could face serious consequences, including the loss of federal funding connected to these programs.
The policy could trigger new legal battles, particularly with Democratic-led states that have previously challenged federal immigration enforcement measures.
