Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent just dropped a financial bombshell aimed at tightening the screws on unauthorized migrants.
The Trump administration, guided by Bessent, is rolling out tough new measures to block unauthorized migrants from tapping into federal tax benefits and money transfer services as part of a sweeping push on immigration policy the New York Post reported.
Let’s rewind a bit to set the stage.
Earlier this year, President Trump issued an executive order pointing fingers at past administrations for watering down a 1996 law meant to keep taxpayer-funded benefits out of the hands of unauthorized migrants.
Fast forward to last week, and the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel backed the Treasury’s view that certain tax credits should be classified as federal public benefits, off-limits to those not legally qualified.
Now, Bessent is taking that opinion and running with it, announcing on Friday, November 28, 2025, plans to propose regulations that will slam the door on refunds from credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit for unauthorized individuals.
These proposed rules, expected to kick in for the 2026 tax year, aim to reinforce the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, ensuring that federal funds stay with American citizens.
Bessent didn’t mince words on social media that same day, declaring, “At [President Trump’s] direction, we are working to cut off federal benefits to illegal aliens and preserve them for U.S. citizens.”
Well, that’s a line in the sand if there ever was one—prioritizing American taxpayers over those who skirt the system is a stance many will cheer, though critics might argue it’s a cold shoulder to vulnerable folks.
Not stopping at tax benefits, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Bureau also issued an alert on November 28, 2025, to money services businesses like check cashers and digital payment processors.
They’re being told to keep a sharp eye out for suspicious cross-border transactions, especially those tied to funds that might come from unlawful employment or other shady sources, with a $2,000 threshold triggering mandatory suspicious activity reports.
This move is clearly meant to choke off financial lifelines for unauthorized migrants, though one wonders if legitimate transactions might get caught in the crossfire of this vigilance.
Bessent doubled down on the policy with a pointed jab on social media, stating, “[President Trump] is right — if you’re here illegally, there’s no place for you in our financial system.”
That’s a zinger with some serious bite, reflecting a no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement, though it’s bound to spark debate about fairness versus security in our financial networks.
With reports surfacing last week from City Journal about taxpayer money potentially funneled to dangerous groups through welfare fraud schemes, the urgency behind these financial crackdowns feels all the more palpable, even if the connection to broader immigration policy isn’t airtight.
