Donald Trump signs on controversial new executive order that affects all illegal migrants in the country

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to cut 'all taxpayer-funded benefits' for undocumented migrants.

Yesterday (February 19), Trump signed another executive order - titled 'Ending taxpayer subsidization of open borders' - aimed at targeting 'benefits for illegal aliens'.

It states: "The plain text of Federal law, including the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) (PRWORA), generally prohibits illegal aliens from obtaining most taxpayer-funded benefits.

"Title IV of the PRWORA states that it is national policy that 'aliens within the Nation’s borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs,' and that '[i]t is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits.' But in the decades since the passage of the PRWORA, numerous administrations have acted to undermine the principles and limitations directed by the Congress through that law."

The order claims former US President Joe Biden's Administration 'repeatedly undercut the goals of that law, resulting in the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources'.

Trump's Administration subsequently pledges to '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'.

Donald Trump has signed off on further restrictions against 'aliens' (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

What it means

Under 'current welfare laws', undocumented migrants are 'generally barred from welfare programs'. If 'they’re granted parole, they are classified as "qualified aliens" and become eligible for various welfare programs on a sliding scale, with full eligibility granted within five years'.

Trump's executive order seeks to 'identify all federally funded programs administered by the agency that currently permit illegal aliens to obtain any cash or non-cash public benefit, and, consistent with applicable law, take all appropriate actions to align such programs with the purposes of this order and the requirements of applicable Federal law, including the PRWORA'.

The order argues for federal payments not to 'facilitate the subsidization or promotion of illegal immigration' or 'abet so-called "sanctuary" policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation'.

Trump signed the order on February 19 (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

How it will be enacted

It states within 30 days of the order being signed, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Administrator of the United States DOGE Service will work alongside the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to 'identify all other sources of Federal funding for illegal aliens'.

The White House's 'fact sheet' for Trump's decision to end 'taxpayer subsidization of open borders' states authorities should then take 'corrective action' to ensure 'Federal funds to states and localities will not be used to support 'sanctuary' policies or assist illegal immigration'.

It resolves: "It mandates improvements in eligibility verification to prevent benefits from going to individuals unlawfully present in the United States.

"President Trump is committed to safeguarding Federal public benefits for American citizens who are truly in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans."