The Trump administration has moved to bar undocumented immigrants from a broad swath of federal assistance, reclassifying more than 15 programmes as “federal public benefits” subject to immigration restrictions under the 1996 welfare-reform law. The directive, unveiled on 10-11 July, takes immediate effect and is open to public comment for 30 days. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the change is intended to ensure taxpayer funds serve U.S. citizens. Programmes newly off-limits include the Head Start preschool initiative, the Community Health Center network, substance-abuse prevention grants, family-planning services and health-workforce loans and scholarships. Combined, the affected programmes account for roughly $40 billion in annual federal spending. The order rescinds 1998 Clinton-era guidance that had allowed undocumented immigrants to use certain community-level services. Within Head Start alone, HHS estimates the rule could redirect about $347 million a year, with eligibility now tied to a child’s immigration status. Parallel notices from the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Labor and Justice will remove undocumented immigrants from adult-education, workforce-training and other federally funded initiatives. Immigrant-rights groups and the National Head Start Association argue the policy will sow fear among families and could face legal challenges under the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe ruling guaranteeing public-school access regardless of immigration status.