According to a recent report published by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), households led by illegal aliens with children born in the United States are more likely to rely on welfare services compared to households headed by US-born individuals.
A December 19, 2023 report states that 59.4% of households led by illegal aliens utilize one or more welfare programs, while the figure for households led by individuals born in the United States is 39%.
The report emphasized that the high rates of welfare usage among illegal aliens are mainly due to their lower education levels and resulting low incomes. Additionally, a significant number of them have U.S.-born children who are eligible for welfare programs from birth. Over half of the households with undocumented immigrants include one or more children who were born in the United States.
Children born to undocumented immigrants in the US, commonly referred to as “anchor babies,” are granted automatic birthright citizenship, even though the US Supreme Court has not yet issued a definitive ruling on the matter. Access to welfare programs is limited for individuals who are not legal residents. Nevertheless, the children born in the country have the opportunity to access welfare benefits, which can be taken advantage of by their parents.
“The American welfare system is primarily designed to assist low-income families with children, a demographic that includes a significant number of immigrants,” stated CIS in their report.
Naveen Athrappully of The Epoch Times reports that several states have extended Medicaid coverage to low-income children, regardless of their immigration status. In addition, children have access to various government food programs.
For instance, the report provides details on various programs explicitly designed to support minors, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program, free or subsidized lunch and breakfast for students, and Medicaid for children (Children’s Health Insurance Program).
The CIS report utilized data from the US Census Bureau’s 2022 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).
“According to CIS, it is worth noting that the SIPP includes illegal immigrants, a significant portion of whom are in a state of poverty. As a result, they, along with their U.S.-born children, are eligible for welfare benefits, and many of them do make use of this eligibility.”
Many immigrants come to America, start families, face financial challenges, and rely on public assistance. This situation can be viewed as particularly concerning, considering the significant number of Americans who are already facing difficulties in providing for their children.
According to data provided by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the current estimate for the number of American-born children of undocumented immigrants in the United States as of June 2023 is approximately 5.78 million.
According to FAIR, there is an estimated net annual cost of $150.6 billion on American taxpayers as of the beginning of 2023 due to illegal aliens and their U.S.-born children. Over the past five years, there has been a significant increase in the annual cost, amounting to nearly $35 billion.
FAIR pointed out that the burden will only increase due to the open-borders policies of the Biden administration.
Considering the importance of maintaining order in the immigration system, it is crucial to implement immigration reform by ending birthright citizenship.
With each passing year, the Historic American faces significant challenges due to the influx of individuals, whether through legal or illegal means. In order to safeguard the future of our beloved nation and ensure its prosperity for generations to come, it is imperative for the governing body to enact immigration reforms that prioritize the well-being of our country.
