The U.S. Department of Labor(DOL) announced a new series of measures that will prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing publicly funded workforce development programs.
This decision is part of the implementation of Executive Order 14218, signed by President Donald Trump, which seeks to restrict the use of federal resources to individuals authorized to work legally in the country.
Biden administration policy reversed

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) advised that all participants in programs funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and related programs must present valid work authorization in order to access training and employment services or benefits.
This measure reverses guidelines adopted during Joe Biden’s presidency (2021-2025), which, according to the DOL’s official statement, “encouraged undocumented immigration” by allowing greater flexibility in the eligibility of participants in labor programs.
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer stressed that the new regulations are intended to “protect good-paying jobs for American workers” and reaffirm the current administration’s commitment “to securing the borders and ending illegal immigration.”
What changes with this measure?

Beginning with the new guidance, all organizations and agencies receiving funding under WIOA and related programs will be required to implement work authorization verification policies for all participants. This includes:
Confirmation of valid documents such as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Green Card or U.S. citizenship.
Immediate update of internal policies and enrollment procedures.
Maintenance of supporting documentation in the files of each participant.
Regular compliance reports to federal authorities.
These requirements apply to non-profit organizations as well as state agencies and employment centers that operate with federal funds, and seek to ensure that only individuals with regular immigration status can receive training, employment support or access to resources paid for by the public treasury.
Impact on undocumented immigrants

For the Hispanic and immigrant community in the United States, this measure represents a setback in terms of access to labor integration opportunities.
Under the Biden administration, some local jurisdictions were able to offer basic job counseling or training without requiring verification of immigration status, which helped many undocumented workers prepare to improve their status.
Immigrant rights organizations have expressed concern, arguing that this policy will increase inequality in access to employment and professional training.
La administración de Trump insiste en que esta medida es necesaria para fortalecer el estado de derecho y priorizar a ciudadanos y residentes legales
What should current beneficiaries do?
Those currently participating in these programs who do not have valid work authorization may be terminated or required to submit additional documentation.
Labor service providers have already begun receiving technical guidance to implement the new rules immediately.
The Department of Labor states that these actions “ensure that employers who cooperate with the labor system can be confident that they are hiring qualified, legally authorized workers,” thus reinforcing the Trump administration’s focus on immigration enforcement and strengthening the national economy by prioritizing the American worker.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.