# U.S. federal immigration enforcement and funding mandates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-immigration-enforcement-and-funding-mandates > Updated: 2026-09-04T15:49:52.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion expanding immigration reporting mandates for state governments. Under this new interpretation, states participating in federal welfare programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), must ensure all state agencies—including universities and motor vehicle departments—report known undocumented individuals to the Department of Homeland Security. This reverses a 1998 guidance that limited reporting duties to only the specific agencies administering welfare benefits. Compliance is linked to federal funding, with states risking the loss of billions of dollars if they fail to meet these obligations. The Trump administration has also indicated it is exploring ways to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Critics have characterized these moves as using welfare funding as leverage to support a mass deportation campaign. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-04: Trump administration targets sanctuary jurisdictions with potential funding cuts The Trump administration is considering withholding federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions and requiring states receiving welfare assistance to report undocumented individuals to DHS. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-administration-targets-sanctuary-jurisdictions-with-potential-funding-cuts ### 2026-09-02: U.S. Department of Justice expands immigration reporting mandates for states The U.S. Department of Justice now requires all state agencies in programs like TANF and SSI to report undocumented individuals to federal authorities or risk losing federal welfare funding. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-department-of-justice-mandates-state-reporting-of-undocumented-immigrants --- Cite as: U.S. federal immigration enforcement and funding mandates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-immigration-enforcement-and-funding-mandates