The Trump administration is introducing new provisions on the Student Loan Forgiveness Program, which bans people who have ties to illegal immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) protests.
The White House says these individuals are not eligible for federal student loan relief.
If you allow a student loan with public service loan forgiveness, the program remains. “That’s the law,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
“We certainly need to respect these programs. If we want stronger or even more programs for loan forgiveness, I think Congress will pass those programs and then we will implement them,” she said.
Aide Trump said the goal is to revamp how taxpayer-funded assistance is being given, and those receiving it should meet legal and ethical standards.
“This is like an amendment that allows the education sector to break immigration laws and decline loan relief to those involved in illegal protests,” said education analyst Dr. Ed Moore.
The White House also included people supporting foreign terrorist groups. They too will be denied forgiveness of the loan.
“Previous administrators abused the PSLF program through the waiver process to use taxpayer funds to repay loans for employees years away from the number of legally required payments,” the executive order reads. Moreover, instead of alleviating the shortage of workers in the required occupation, the PSLF program has not only failed to serve the public interest, but has misled taxes to activist organisations who actually harm our national security and American values through criminal means,” the White House said.
The Trump administration also includes other activities that could be deemed “inappropriate” and excluded from receiving student loan forgiveness. Young people who are undergoing the chemical and surgical castration and amputation of children, or trafficking of children to so-called transgender sanctuaries, in violation of federal immigration laws.
