Trump’s Dept Of Education Shuts Door On Free Tuition For Illegals

The Department of Education is ending a Clinton-era rule allowing illegal aliens access to federally funded tuition programs.

According to The Daily Caller, the Trump administration argues that the policy, which funds career, technical, and adult education programs, violates the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). The Education Department notified postsecondary education programs that the rule would no longer apply and declared that providers have “obligations to verify the eligibility of participants.”

PRWORA previously exclusively allocated the use of federal funds to American citizens, permanent residents, and a small category of “qualified aliens” (e.g., refugees, asylees). However, the Clinton administration exempted postsecondary programs from the rule. The Trump Education Department stated that the exemption “mischaracterized the law by creating artificial distinctions between federal benefit programs based upon the method of assistance.”

In line with PRWORA, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said if the federal government is going to fund postsecondary education programs, it “should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens.”

“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,” she said. “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 Trump administration has been cracking down on states that provide benefits to illegals in education.

On June 30, it announced the revocation of nearly $7 billion in federal grants, part of which went toward teaching English as a second language. The administration argued that the money was being used to push a “radical left wing agenda.”

Despite threats from the administration, some schools continue to provide benefits for illegals and protect them from deportation.

The Education Department’s new interpretation of the Clinton-era rule will take effect on August 9, 2025.