21 Dem-led states sue Trump admin for denying federal benefits to illegal immigrants

Twenty-one Democrat-led states have sued the Trump administration over the president's moves to restrict illegal immigrants from getting federal benefits. The lawsuit is headed up by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who previously brought a criminal case against Trump over claims he inflated the value of his New York properties.

The suit alleges that the Trump administration's cut of federal funds for illegal immigrants will impact education and health programs. These include the Head Start early education program for lower-income families, per the New York Times, as well as 12 health and education programs. The Trump administration also said that funding for illegal immigrants enrolled in technical and adult education would be cut. The Labor Department said it would not allow illegal immigrants to get work force development grants.

The suit claims the actions from the Trump administration may result in the "collapse of some of the nation’s most vital public programs," and that US citizens would also be denied the funding because of the measures. They believe that the funded groups will not be able to differentiate between American citizens and illegal immigrants and will be unable to comply with the Trump administration's demands.

"These programs work because they are open, accessible and grounded in compassion,” James said in statement. “Now, the federal government is pulling that foundation out from under us overnight, jeopardizing cancer screenings, early childhood education, primary care and so much more."

"When illegal aliens exploit these resources, it is at the expense of Americans in desperate need of them," said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson. "President Trump was elected based on his promise to put Americans first, and that’s exactly what this administration is committed to doing."

Also joining the suit are the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

The Trump administration has made a number of moves to bar illegal immigrants from obtaining federal benefits, including an executive order that Trump signed when he came into office and an order aimed at "ending taxpayer subsidization of open border" that he signed on February 19 this year.

The order stated that the executive departments in the administration would "ensure, consistent with applicable law, that Federal payments to States and localities do not, by design or effect, facilitate the subsidization or promotion of illegal immigration, or abet so-called 'sanctuary' policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation."