The White House said Friday that hundreds of paroled migrants with criminal or terrorism ties improperly accessed U.S.The White House announced Friday that hundreds of paroled migrants with ties to terrorism or criminal activity accessed taxpayer-funded programs, including Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and federal student aid.
The Department of Government Efficiency identified 6,300 individuals who entered the U.S. since 2023 and appeared on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist or held criminal records. Officials say the federal government granted them Social Security numbers and work authorization, despite their lack of lawful immigration status. These credentials allowed them to apply for federal benefits.
905 Migrants Used Medicaid, Including 4 on Watchlist
Federal officials released the following breakdown:
- 905 individuals used Medicaid, including 4 flagged on the terror watchlist, totaling $276,000
- 41 people collected unemployment insurance, receiving $42,000
- 22 individuals obtained federal student loans worth $280,000
- 409 people received $751,000 in net federal tax refunds for 2024
- An undisclosed number used SNAP (food stamp) benefits
All of these individuals gained access through parole despite having no other legal status.
Trump Administration Ends Biden-Era Parole Program
The Trump administration has now reversed the parole program responsible for these entries. Officials say they terminated all active paroles immediately following a review.
This announcement comes as the Trump administration ramps up its crackdown on border security and immigration screening procedures.
White House Slams “Minimal Screening” by Prior Administration
The White House criticized the Biden administration for what it described as “minimal screening” at the border. Officials argue that the lax process allowed security threats to slip through and access federal programs.
While only a small portion of the overall migrant population received these benefits, officials maintain that the incidents expose serious weaknesses in the immigration system.
The Department of Homeland Security has not independently verified the figures released in the memo.
Final Thoughts
As the 2025 debate over immigration, entitlement programs, and national security escalates, this revelation adds fuel to an already heated political landscape. Both parties are expected to respond forcefully in the days ahead.
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