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September 2, 2026
DOJ Issues New Guidance Requiring States to Report Undocumented Immigrants for Federal Funding
- The DOJ's new legal interpretation mandates that all state agencies report undocumented immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security to retain federal funding for programs like TANF and SSI.
- This requirement extends beyond welfare offices, affecting the entire state government, and stems from a reinterpretation of a 1998 opinion.
- States will not face retroactive penalties for past compliance but must adhere to the new requirements moving forward, with potential legal challenges anticipated from some states.
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6 Sources
- States now must report undocumented immigrants to DHS or risk federal funding, DOJ saysSep 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM · CNBC
- States must provide info on undocumented immigrants or lose federal safety-net funds, Trump admin saysSep 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM · CNN
- Justice department orders US states to expand how they report undocumented immigrantsSep 2, 2026 at 8:02 PM · The Guardian
- DOJ says states have to report undocumented immigrants to get federal fundingSep 2, 2026 at 8:06 PM · NBC
- DOJ opinion urges states to report undocumented migrantsSep 2, 2026 at 8:20 PM · The Hill
- Trump's DOJ threatens to cut aid to states unless they report migrants without legal statusSep 2, 2026 at 10:24 PM · Reuters