U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced Thursday HHS will prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing taxpayer-funded programs. (Getty Images)
The PRWORA, known as welfare reform, passed during the Clinton administration and granted states greater autonomy to manage social welfare programs.
The new policy applies PRWORA’s plain-language definition of a "federal public benefit," affirms that programs serving individuals, households or families are subject to eligibility restrictions and clarifies that no HHS programs have been formally exempted under PRWORA’s limited exceptions, HHS said.
Among the programs no longer accessible to illegal immigrants will be Head Start, an early childhood education and nutrition program for low-income families.
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A first grade classroom with an American flag. (John Paraskevas/Newsday RM)
An HHS preliminary analysis estimates American citizens could receive as much as $374 million in additional Head Start services annually.
"Alongside HHS, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is committed to providing and protecting resources that serve America’s most vulnerable," said acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison. "Head Start’s classification under the new PRWORA interpretation puts American families first by ensuring taxpayer-funded benefits are reserved for eligible individuals."
Other services now classified under the "federal public benefit" category include grant programs for workforce programs, mental health and substance abuse, among others.
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The new policy takes effect upon publication in the Federal Register and has a 30-day comment period.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-administration-bans-illegal-immigrants-taxpayer-funded-services-including-head-start