The surge in illegal immigration over the past four years has reportedly cost American taxpayers an estimated $451 billion, according to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee. Taxpayers have spent at least $182 billion annually to cover the costs of 20 million illegal aliens and their children.
In a related fact sheet, the Trump administration says the goal of the executive order is to ensure "taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens" and to safeguard federal funds from being used to support "sanctuary" policies.
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) estimates that one million illegal aliens could also cost American taxpayers $3 billion annually through welfare programs, which are not supposed to be available to those unlawfully in the U.S. per the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
Art Arthur, a CIS resident fellow in law and policy, says this effort to save tax dollars from going to what he calls "massive entitlement spending programs" should withstand judicial challenges.
"Even the most strident and anti-Trump judge … would be hard put to block this order because it does nothing more than call for an enforcement of statute," he explains. "The law is clear with respect to the ineligibility of many of these people for public benefits."
"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," the order states.
In accordance with promises Trump made during his presidential campaign to secure the borders and put America first, federal departments and agencies must identify and end all federally funded programs providing financial benefits to illegal aliens.
