Press Releases

WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) slammed the Biden administration today for its decision, once again, to put the interests of illegal immigrants ahead of the success of American students.

In a new rulemaking, the U.S. Department of Education aims to allow illegal immigrants to access a collection of taxpayer-funded and administered college preparatory programs, part of what is collectively referred to as the TRIO programs.

“There’s a laundry list of problems facing students and postsecondary education today: costs are soaring, the FAFSA rollout has been butchered, antisemitism is running rampant across college campuses…just to name a few. But what is the Biden administration focused on? Siphoning resources away from low-income American citizens by stretching college-prep programs thin to cover illegal immigrants,” said Chairwoman Foxx.

TRIO programs have historically benefitted low-income Americans, first generation college students, and students with disabilities to help close the educational gap and ensure that they have the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education. Under current law, those who are pursuing legal pathways to citizenship can access TRIO programs. The Biden administration’s attempted expansion is a blatant attempt to provide additional taxpayer-funded services to those who have entered the country illegally and are not seeking citizenship.

In April, Chairwoman Foxx partnered with U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN) to introduce the American Students First Act, which would eliminate any waiver authority for states and firmly establish citizenship requirements in order to access TRIO programs.

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