• The US Health Department expands federal benefits restrictions to include 44 programs for immigrants.
• Thirteen new program categories have been added, including Head Start and family planning initiatives.
• The changes are part of President Trump's wider immigration policy, targeting both undocumented and some legal immigrants.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on July 10, 2025, a significant broadening of its interpretation of laws governing federal public benefits for immigrants. The changes will now encompass 44 programs, including Head Start preschool initiatives aimed at low-income families, substance use recovery services, and family planning resources, among others. This marks a shift from a previous policy that restricted access to 31 programs, demonstrating an assertive stance from the Trump administration on immigration issues, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The recent policy shift is justified by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who stated, "For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans' tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration." The changes are intended to enforce the rule of law and preserve resources for American citizens. However, critics express concern that these restrictions will further marginalize vulnerable immigrant communities, exacerbating public health issues across the United States, according to TRT Global and Al Jazeera.

The policy modification stems from the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which already limited access to federal benefits for various immigrant groups. While primarily aimed at undocumented immigrants, the new restrictions also affect legal permanent residents and those on temporary visas, reinforcing a broader clampdown on immigration initiated by the Trump administration. The updated list of restricted programs will be published in the Federal Register and is subject to a 30-day public comment period, as noted by Reuters and TRT Global.