President Donald Trump has enacted one of the most consequential welfare reforms in decades, removing tens of thousands of noncitizens from federal food assistance programs as part of his broader plan to prioritize American taxpayers. The change, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in September 2025, immediately disqualifies roughly 90,000 lawful noncitizens — including refugees and humanitarian entrants — from accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The reform marks a decisive shift in how federal aid is distributed, restoring a citizenship-first standard that the Trump administration says had been eroded over the years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the new policy redefines eligibility to include only U.S. citizens and a narrow set of legal residents, cutting off all others in the name of fiscal responsibility and national sovereignty. Administration officials estimate the move will save nearly $187 billion over the next decade, redirecting funds to what they describe as “hardworking American families who have earned it.”
The decision has sparked both praise and backlash. Supporters see it as a long-overdue step toward ending abuse of the welfare system and reducing incentives for illegal immigration. They point to data showing that the number of noncitizens enrolled in SNAP programs has risen steadily over the past 15 years, costing taxpayers billions. “Every dollar in welfare should go to Americans first,” Trump said during a recent White House address. “We’re done paying for those who come here illegally, take advantage of our benefits, and give nothing back.”
Critics, however, have accused the administration of targeting vulnerable populations for political gain. Humanitarian groups like the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities and Feeding America have called the decision “cruel and counterproductive,” arguing that many of those losing benefits were lawfully admitted refugees or asylum recipients. But the administration counters that the majority of affected individuals were receiving aid despite having access to employment or private sponsorship.
Economists say the policy is likely to reshape how welfare programs operate nationwide. With the federal government tightening eligibility rules, several states — particularly Republican-led ones — are expected to follow suit by introducing similar restrictions for state-level programs. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee are reportedly already preparing parallel legislation to ensure benefits are reserved exclusively for citizens.
The reform also comes amid heightened tensions over government spending as the U.S. remains in a partial shutdown over budget negotiations. Trump and congressional Republicans have insisted that cutting unnecessary welfare costs is essential to balancing the budget and lowering inflation, while Democrats accuse the White House of punishing immigrants for political points. Yet polling suggests the move is widely popular among likely voters — with a recent Rasmussen survey finding that 68% of Americans support limiting welfare benefits to citizens only.
For President Trump, this latest move represents another fulfillment of his 2024 campaign promise to “protect American taxpayers” and overhaul federal spending. His administration’s message is simple: American aid should serve American citizens first. And with the One Big Beautiful Bill now in effect, Trump has made it clear that his second term will continue to blend economic reform with immigration enforcement, reinforcing the idea that in his America, welfare is a privilege earned — not a benefit handed out.
