Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued a strong warning to states on Friday regarding unemployment benefits for illegal immigrants. She stated that states allowing such practices could face a loss of federal funding. In a letter to all governors, Chavez-DeRemer emphasized the need to follow President Donald Trump’s directives, which aim to ensure that American tax dollars are not used to support individuals who are in the country illegally.
Chavez-DeRemer highlighted that unemployment benefits are intended solely for those who are eligible, meaning they must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. She wrote, “To qualify for unemployment, one must be able and available to work, actively seeking work, and be legally authorized to accept employment in the United States. Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”
In her letter, she referenced Trump’s memorandum on preventing illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits and an executive order aimed at stopping taxpayer support for open borders.
The Secretary also noted that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has informed states they can use the SAVE database. This system helps verify the immigration status of individuals applying for benefits. Chavez-DeRemer instructed the Employment and Training Administration to ensure that states use SAVE for all claims from individuals who indicate they are not U.S. citizens.
She reminded states of their legal obligations regarding immigrant access to unemployment benefits. Failure to comply could lead to losing the state’s Title III unemployment insurance administrative grant.
This warning comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration and its associated benefits. Earlier in the week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to tighten access to food benefits for undocumented immigrants. Rollins stated that programs like SNAP are designed to aid the most vulnerable Americans, and allowing illegal immigrants to benefit from them is unacceptable.
The Trump administration has been consistent in its stance on immigration, threatening to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with various federal laws and orders. For instance, Maine has been in a dispute with the administration over its refusal to protect girls’ sports in accordance with federal Title IX rules.
In another notable move, Trump froze over $2 billion in funding for Harvard University after the school declined to dismantle its diversity and inclusion programs and take action against anti-Israel protests on campus.
The recent actions reflect a significant push by the administration to enforce stricter immigration policies and ensure that government benefits are reserved for those who are legally in the country.