Trump orders crackdown on financial networks linked to illegal immigration

International, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new executive order aimed at preventing banks and financial institutions from being used to facilitate illegal immigration, human smuggling, drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

Trump disclosed this in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, saying illegal immigrants and foreign fraudsters were costing American taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

According to the President, the executive order will be implemented by the U.S. Treasury Department as part of his administration’s broader efforts to combat fraud and reverse illegal immigration.

“Illegal immigrants and foreign fraudsters steal billions every year from the American taxpayer,” Trump said, adding that the measure is designed to disrupt financial channels allegedly used by criminal cartels, human smugglers and traffickers.

He stated that access to the U.S. financial system should be limited to individuals who are legally resident in the country and engaged in lawful commercial activities.

Trump warned that bank accounts allegedly used to facilitate illegal immigration or receive welfare benefits unlawfully could be shut down, with affected funds subject to seizure and recovery.

The President also criticised policies in some states that allow undocumented migrants to obtain driver’s licences, arguing that such documents have enabled broader access to the U.S. financial system.

He described the executive order as a key component of his administration’s immigration enforcement strategy and said it would strengthen efforts to combat organised crime, secure the nation’s borders and protect taxpayers.

Trump further maintained that the measure sends a strong message to those seeking to undermine immigration enforcement and expressed confidence that it would significantly curb criminal financial activities linked to illegal immigration.

The executive order forms part of a wider package of immigration and border security measures being pursued by the Trump administration.