An incredible share of migrant households use welfare, study finds

shocker


An incredible share of migrant households use welfare, study finds


Nearly half of households in the United States headed by a non-citizen benefit from some form of traditional government welfare, according to a newly published analysis.

Forty-seven percent of migrant households are taking advantage of one or more traditional welfare programs, according to a study released by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), a group that advocates for lower levels of immigration. When including other forms of welfare, such as eligibility for certain tax credits, this figure rises to well over 50%.

“Although most new legal immigrants and illegal immigrants are barred from accessing most means-tested programs, these restrictions have not prevented a large share of non-citizen-headed households from accessing the welfare system,” stated the authors of the study.


“This is primarily because non-citizens often receive benefits on behalf of their U.S.-born children and the restrictions only apply to some programs,” the authors continued.

The means-tested programs factored into the study include Supplemental Security Income, SNAP (food stamps), WIC, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other anti-poverty initiatives.

When including the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, welfare usage among immigrant households surged to 54%, according to CIS. To put this figure into perspective, only 31% of U.S.-born households take advantage of corresponding welfare programs.

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