President Trump’s administration announced sweeping restrictions barring people unlawfully present in the U.S. from federal tuition, food assistance and many health and social programs. Departments including HHS, Education and Agriculture say they will reinterpret the 1996 welfare law to add 13 programs and expand exclusions to about 44 federal benefits, end free post‑secondary tuition in some programs, and tighten eligibility verification. Officials framed the move as protecting taxpayer resources; advocates warn it will worsen public health, harm children and prompt legal challenges and state injunctions. The policy follows earlier executive orders tightening immigration and benefit rules and could face courts. (whitehouse.gov)