Ft Wayne Times

On April 16, 2024, Rep. Jim Banks put forth the American Students First Act, a legislative measure aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from participating in the TRIO program. This program comprises eight federally funded college preparatory initiatives designed for low-income Americans, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.

In a statement addressing the introduction of the bill, Rep. Jim Banks expressed his concerns, stating, "It’s disgusting and un-American that the Biden admin wants to use tax dollars from truckers and farmers to fund college prep classes for illegal immigrants. All the while, our test scores are at a record low. Rather than prepping illegals for college, the Biden admin should focus on undoing the unprecedented learning loss that happened during their school lockdowns."

The legislation comes in response to recent actions by the Biden administration, specifically a proposal by the Department of Education to extend eligibility for certain TRIO programs to non-citizens who have attended high school in the United States. This move follows previous waivers granted by the administration to California and Oregon, allowing illegal immigrants to take part in federally funded TRIO programs in those states.

In addition to setting citizenship requirements for program eligibility, Banks' bill seeks to prohibit waivers for illegal immigrants, further emphasizing the focus on educational opportunities for American students.

For more details on the American Students First Act, interested individuals can access the full text of the bill and additional coverage provided by Breitbart.