The Trump administration is putting in place new provisions on student loan forgiveness programs that will bar those who have connections with illegal immigration and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) protests.
The White House says those individuals will not be eligible for federal student loan relief.
On forgiving student loans with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness, that program will remain. “That’s the law,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
“We certainly should honor those programs, and if we want stronger or more programs for loan forgiveness, then I think Congress should pass those programs, and then we would implement them,” she said.
Trump aides have said the goal is to revamp how taxpayer-funded assistance is given out, and people receiving it should meet the legal and ethical standards.
“It’s more of a modification where the Education Department can turn down loan relief to those who break the law on immigration and are involved with unlawful protest,” said education analyst Dr. Ed Moore.
The White House also included people who support foreign terrorist groups. They, too, will be denied loan forgiveness.
“The prior administration abused the PSLF Program through a waiver process, using taxpayer funds to pay off loans for employees still years away from the statutorily required number of payments,” the executive order reads. “Moreover, instead of alleviating worker shortages in necessary occupations, the PSLF Program has misdirected tax dollars into activist organizations that not only fail to serve the public interest but actually harm our national security and American values, sometimes through criminal means,” said the White House.
The Trump administration has also included other activities that could be deemed “improper” and exclude from receiving student loan forgiveness. Young people getting chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children and the trafficking of children to the so-called transgender sanctuary,” violating federal immigration laws.
