BB.BREAKING NEWS: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vows to cut federal benefits for illegal immigrants in a bold crackdown on the system
CLEAN UP THE SYSTEM: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Pledges to Strip Illegal Immigrants of Federal Benefits
Washington, D.C. – Newly confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Friday that the Treasury Department is aggressively working to exclude illegal immigrants from all federal payment systems and benefit programs, carrying out a long-promised crackdown on illegal immigration that President Donald Trump has promised to do away with taxpayer-funded assistance for illegal immigrants.
In a blunt post on X Friday night, Bessent wrote:
“If you are in the country illegally, there is no place for you in our financial system.”
The announcement marks the first concrete action by the Treasury Department since Trump took office on January 20, 2025, and signals a comprehensive, government-wide effort to end what the administration calls “magnet” incentives for illegal immigrants.
Treasury insiders confirmed that Bessent directed the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and the department’s payment channels (including the direct deposit system used by most federal agencies) to implement new identity and status verification protocols. Benefits affected could include:
Refundable Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
Social Security numbers issued under previous policies
Economic stimulus or emergency payments
Any federal spending that requires a bank account or ITIN
A senior Treasury official, speaking anonymously, said the department is reviewing decades-old loopholes that allow people without legal permanent residency to claim certain tax credits and open bank accounts with minimal documentation. “The secretary’s view is simple,” the official said. “American taxpayers should not be subsidizing illegal immigrants, period.”
The move immediately reignited a national debate about immigration enforcement. Progressive lawmakers denounced the policy as cruel and likely to push undocumented families further into poverty. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called it “economic warfare against immigrant communities.” Meanwhile, restrictive groups and many Republican lawmakers praised Bessent for fulfilling a core campaign promise of Trump’s first year in office.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Saturday morning that President Trump personally reviewed and approved Bessent’s directive. “The era of catch-and-release at the border and catch-and-release in the country is over,” she said.
Immigrant rights groups are preparing legal challenges, arguing that some tax credits still apply regardless of immigration status under current law. The Treasury Department has asserted that the changes fall within the executive branch’s authority to enforce immigration eligibility rules.
As of Saturday afternoon, Bessent’s post had received more than 400,000 likes and 120,000 shares, reflecting strong public support within Trump’s coalition.
The Treasury Department has not announced a specific implementation timeline but said the first restrictions could take effect within weeks.
