The issue focused on federal programs that provide financial assistance to illegal immigrants. Republican lawmakers were concerned about people illegally receiving benefits from the Obama administration.

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in March, Attorney General Eric Holder said federal law enforcement officials had access to private information on illegal immigrants and federal immigration laws would not be violated by illegal immigrants using federal financial aid.

But civil rights advocates say federal law enforcement authorities can legally demand financial records of illegal immigrants who use federal financial aid. And legal experts say federal law