Hoosier State Today

U.S. Representative Jim Banks has claimed that the Biden administration is utilizing taxpayer money to "fund college prep classes for illegal immigrants." This statement was made in a press release where he announced the American Students First Act on April 16.

"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," said Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). "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."

According to a press release from Rep. Banks, the American First Students Act would prohibit illegal immigrants from participating in the TRIO program. The TRIO program is described as "a collection of eight federally funded and administered college prep programs for low-income Americans, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities." Under the Biden administration, the Department of Education expanded the TRIO program to include non-citizens who attended high school in the United States. Banks stated that his proposed legislation would prevent non-citizens from obtaining waivers to participate in this federally funded program.

An issue paper from the Department of Education outlines a proposed expansion to the TRIO program that would allow non-citizens to become eligible if "the individual is enrolled in or seeks to enroll in a high school in the United States."

Fwd.us reports that over one million foreign students, including visa-holders and non-citizens, are currently attending higher education institutions in the United States. These colleges and universities generate approximately $9 billion from international students through tuition and fees.

Representative Jim Banks serves Indiana's 3rd District. He is a veteran and former Indiana State Senator.