WASHINGTON – In a move reflecting the Trump Administration’s broader immigration policy shift, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration on Monday issued new guidance aimed at tightening access to federally funded workforce development programs. The updated policy explicitly bars undocumented immigrants from receiving participant-level services funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and related programs.
The action aligns with Executive Order 14218, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,” signed by President Donald Trump. The order directs federal agencies to ensure that public benefits and resources are preserved for U.S. citizens and individuals authorized to work in the country.
The new guidance mandates that all recipients of WIOA and other relevant workforce grants must verify a participant’s work authorization before delivering individualized employment or training services. This replaces previous guidance issued under the Biden Administration, which current officials have criticized for allegedly encouraging illegal immigration.
“America’s workforce is stronger than ever under President Trump’s leadership because he is committed to upholding the rule of law and putting American workers first,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer in a statement.
“Our updated guidance makes clear that taxpayer-funded workforce services are reserved for individuals who are authorized to work in the United States, as required by federal law.”
The Department of Labor has instructed state and local agencies involved in workforce development to revise their internal policies and update operational procedures. This includes verifying employment authorization documents and retaining evidence in participant case files.
The guidance is designed not only to align federal workforce spending with immigration enforcement priorities, but also to bolster employer confidence. Officials argue that businesses can rely on public employment systems to connect with legally authorized and job-ready candidates.
Programs affected by the new directive include:
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WIOA Title I: Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth services
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WIOA National Dislocated Worker Grants
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Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Services
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Reentry Employment Opportunities programs
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YouthBuild and National Farmworker Jobs Program
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Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
The Department emphasized that these programs are intended to serve individuals legally eligible for employment and should not be misused to support unauthorized immigration.
This announcement marks one of several policy reversals from the previous administration, as President Trump intensifies efforts to reshape the nation’s immigration framework. Alongside this labor initiative, similar directives have been issued by other federal agencies to cut access to government-funded benefits for undocumented immigrants.
The Department of Labor’s policy change takes immediate effect, with compliance expected across all federally funded workforce programs.
