Chicago – April 25, 2025
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer warned on Friday that states allowing illegal immigrants to receive unemployment benefits could lose federal funding. In a letter sent to all governors, Chavez-DeRemer encouraged them to follow President Donald Trump’s orders to ensure taxpayer money is not given to people living in the U.S. illegally.
Chavez-DeRemer explained that unemployment benefits are meant for workers who qualify, meaning they must be able to work, actively looking for a job, and legally allowed to work in the United States. She stressed that these benefits should not be provided to people who are not in the country legally.
To help verify applicants’ immigration status, Chavez-DeRemer recommended that states use the SAVE system, an online tool that allows government agencies to check the immigration status of people applying for benefits or licenses.
This action is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to limit benefits for illegal immigrants.
