Do illegal Immigrants really take advantage of welfare and social services designated for legal residents?
494032
as a former caseworker YES they do. Let me break it down, the federal government has a program called TANF which gives a monthly stipend to people on welfare as long as they participate in training or some form of education. It is received for a limited time depending on the state. If you dont participate, you don't get a check. Illegal immigrant mothers can receive the money only for their children and they are not required to do anything for this monthly stipend. Its free money for them, same thing with food stamps which many illegal immigrants get also, the welfare application even states that their information will not be shared with the department of homeland security.
316051
It seems pretty ridiculous, doesn't it? By the way, welfare is now called "Self Sufficiency". Really. My husband and I are foster parents, and we see people all the time who abuse drugs, keep having children, don't do anything productive, and get free medical insurance, food stamps, WIC, "Self Sufficiency", HUD housing, etc. Just doesn't seem right, does it?
1054732
My parents were not legal Immigrants, but I am. For myself it wasn't that difficult, to get here from Scotland. It took effort and a lot of paper work, and a sponser, to guarantee, my welfare, for the first six months.\n I got a job early, and put no burden on my sponser. But I was covered by his generosity.\nOther legal immigrants from other nations, had the same problems as I did, some worse, due to the old quota systems. But they too all waited in lines, saw Doctors, got X-rays, filled reams of paper work, and did the right thing.\nIt angers me to see those illegals, sneak, or really, openly cross our borders.  They seem to think they are entitiled to do so. They see no crime being committed, and other latinos who were born here, or whos parents, got here, illegally or legally, try to help them out, and can't see what they are doing to our health system and schools.\nI think the politicians are working hand in glove with businesses, to supply this latest form of cheap labor.It lowers all our standard of living. See how expensive health care is now, if it's even available, and out pension plans, going down the tube. All of this isn't all due to illegal immigration, but it certainly isn't helped by it.\nWe need to control our borders and immigration. What other country would allow over twelve million illegals amongst them. \nI have no bias, against those people who are just trying to better their lives, for them and their families. But how much better would it be, if they did that in there own Country.\nMexico, could easily be a first world country, given its natural resources, and the skill and hard work of their natives. But their Government is too corrupt, and so few own the majority of the wealth of their nation, and aren't willing to share, it with the less fortunate amongst their people.
278738
Read the bills, please don't lie about them.\n\nNeither the House or Senate bills criminalize aid agencies (including churches) or medical facilities for helping illegals.  They are not required to ask or report.\n\nEMPLOYERS that hire EMPLOYEES (whites too!) are requires to check Social Security Numbers against a National database before they can employ someone.  Fail to do so and big fine/go to jail.\n\nThe truth will suffice, my Liberal friends.\n\nThank you for your support.
537361
Only the illegal ones don't have to pay taxes.  They also get free medical care and if they claim to be over 65, they also get free social security checks.  Since they are undocumented and there is no way to prove they aren't 65, I suspect that most of them will be collecting it.
74100
YES, to prevent the criminal and antisocial activities.\n\nMy personal opinion would be only to grant leagl status to illegals if they prove they work, pay taxes,have no criminal records, support their families and children,and prove they are worthy of living in a country that provides freedom and jobs, something they they left their native countries for. There comes a time when a country can't handle the incoming flow of illegals and must take action to be able to provide for those who were legally born inside the U.S.A. This has nothing to de with racisim as some people want to label it. \n\n\nGovt will be hugely benifited from this.
633559
I too am under the impression they do and I guess that is exactly the core issue of the illegal immigrant debate.  With all the millions of dollars our government spends on studies, you would think they would do a comprehensive study on this to settle the arguement once and for all.  Illegals do provide a source of cheap labor for businesses keeping the costs of services and products down but, as a result, often take away jobs from citizens/legal residents who would be paid more for the same work.  Employers who hire illegals are also competing unfairly, paying reduced wages, against those companies that do not- driving them out of business and raising unemployment for citizens/legal residents. I have also been under the assumption that  illegals are also paid "under the table" not being documented as actually working for a company so neither the employer or illegal employee pay taxes for social services/healthcare/etc. (although from debates on YahooAnswer I have been told this is incorrect but how do you pay taxes/social security if you don't have a social security number and/or other i.d?) thus driving up taxes and healthcare costs for the rest of us.
433434
No, I don't think there's any correlation.  The type of work that illegal immigrants do, precludes having a lifestyle that includes drugs.  Once an affront to your civil liberties is taken away, and we continue like sheep to comply, it's never given back.
1024277
I am very pro-illegal... and I used to not be... but since I moved to Los Angeles, my view of what an illegal immigrant does differs from what I thought it was...\n\n1.  If you see a panhandler or a begger, what do those signs always say?  Vietnam Vet, or something to that effect... and they're very rarely hispanic... Go to any homeless shelter, and tell me the racial demographics of the homeless, the alcoholics and the drug addicted that roam the streets... They are mostly American Citizens, who contribute less than nothing to the US...\n\n2.  They are always working, whether they are selling fruit near a highway entrance, or washing dishes, or picking produce.  When people talk about hispanics, they always say they're taking our jobs... b/c they're willing to work hard for them, while Citizens believe that they are entitled to the jobs just b/c they are citizens...\n\n3.  They drain our welfare system... Believe it our not, it's very hard to receive federal assistance without a SSN... There are a programs to help with the poverty stricken in general.  Also If we were to legalize them, they have to produce financial documents stating that they will NOT receive any form of federal assistance... so if we DON'T want them getting any more federal assistance... legalize them... \n\n4.  They are criminals and bring drugs and gangs into the US... Well people of all color and race do drugs and join gangs... so as long as they are people, there will be some good ones and some bad ones... but to classify an entire race due to the actions of a few, is not fair\n\n5.  They will be a financial strain? NO! B/C they will now pay taxes, and they cannot fake the number of dependants, b/c they all the SSN... Also the estimated 60+ million (Which is the latest and most accurate number to date, but ofcourse it's all guessing... )  would have to PAY to receive Amnesty.  Right now to become a Citizen LEGALLY costs anywhere for 700 - 1000$ for filing ONLY, if you hire a lawyer, it could be MORE... So for example only 30million are actually able to receive amnesty... they will pay lets say 1000 each... that would be 30 billion dollars in revenue... not to mention new jobs created to handle the paperwork, as well as more work for lawyers, which creates more work for paralegals, which creates more schools for paralegals, which creates more jobs for those working at the schools, which creates more jobs for day care centers.. you get my point?\n\nGranted there are problems with Amnesty.. I know there will be problems with Medical care, housing, schools etc.. but since it's only for people who ALREADY are here... HAVE been here for many years... The change in housing and school crowding shouldn't be the biggest issue... The bigger issue is how will we tame the anger and animosity we've created between two classes of peole that have become one... That is the true issue...
614179
Yes it seems strange to me that all of a sudden this issue has caused so much hatred. And it is something that has been around for years. Statistics show that most people on welfare are white americans. When an illegal comes here they dont even know they can get welfare for their US born kids until they make an appointment for a doctor they pay cash to see and at the hospital they are told about welfare.Or some are told by friends or relatives but they are afraid to get it because they are illegal or they dont know how to go about it. Many illegals do have taxes taken out of their checks even if they use a fake social security number and then they never file taxes and dont get a refund so that is more money the govt keeps.ANd of course when they purchase something they pay the tax. I dont agree with that idea that illegals dont pay taxes.\n\nPeople that have no idea what they are talking about hate their miserable lives so they point the finger and blame to illegals. Instead of taking resposibility for their own lives. If they finish school and work hard for a better life they will have no reason to complain.
226711
At least at the begining, part of your being allowed your green card is that you will not use these social welfare programs and thusly become a burden on the state otherwise your sponsor will be required to pay that back. I do not know if that ends when you are a premenant resident or if it doesn't until you are actaully a citizen.
256141
Immigrants usually have to prove that they are educated enough  and with good job prospects in order to prove that they won't be a burden on the country's social services. Therefore, I find it difficult to believe that once they are approved, they would immediately be on welfare, etc. The only situation in which immigrants consume more social services relative to "regular citizens" is through the language learning services that Canada offers. \n\nI have found in my years as a volunteer in several "welfare-support" organizations, that the vast majority of people on welfare and other social programs are those who have parents on welfare. Thus, it appears that these programs do not work as they are intended -- help people get back on their feet -- but rather create a "welfare culture."\n\nIn Canada and the USA, it is very important that families stay together. This is clear because both countries make it very easy for the immediate families of a citizen to migrate (relative to other immigrants who have no relatives in the country). Therefore, I find it hard to believe that immigrants are sending "home" money since their families are likely taking advantage of this opportunity to move to the US or Canada.\n\nI am not sure what increases the crime rate. I suppose one could make an argument for poverty, but I believe that this is a less than popular viewpoint. I think crimes are related to a lack of values that parents fail to pass on to their children. However, this opinion is not based on any sort of empirical study.\n\nI think that Canada recognizes that immigrants make up a huge and important part of our culture. We treat our immigrants with respect, and indeed you will find our political landscape littered with people from around the world. Our Governor General came from Haiti (in the Caribbean), the wife of NDP party leader is a Chinese expat, our previous Energy minister is Indian (from India), etc. This reflects the fact that immigrants get a lot of help here in Canada in order to make it easier to call Canada their new home. We want immigrants to help Canada, but we understand that it is wrong for us to ask them to denounce their own. We have Caribana for people from the Caribbean, the CHIN festival for South Asians, and of course, Quebec celebrates their unique French Canadian culture everyday. By making Canada more like home, we help our immigrants to feel like they are building a new culture when they come here -- one that is part of a constantly evolving Canadian identity.
757831
Exactly...but to here pro-illegals talk:  "They are not a burden."  LOL\n\nBlah...you are blah.  Americans citizens and in most cases their ancestors have been paying into taxes for years and years and years.  Part of being a citizen who pays taxes is being able to take advantage of governmental services.  Yes...believe it or not our government believes in giving back to its taxpayers by offering them sometimes needed welfare, food stamps and medical benefits.  They were not, however, designed to support individuals who are not "putting anything back into the pool."  Those individuals happen to be illegal aliens.
1089290
Legal immigrants do recieve SSN and pay taxes. Illegal immigrants don't because they come here illegally.   Illegal immigrants don't get unemployment, disablities, and retirement benefits.
479302
Has JD ever had an original thought?  War, invasion - typical scare tactics that too many ignorant citizens choose to worship.  You act as if you earned your citizenship.  It is just a matter of luck that you were born in this country.  You are not special and you have never done anything spacial, just dumb luck.  What is a bigger drain on society a population that works but can't pay taxes because their oppressors choose to look the other way or citizens who sit on their butts and collect TANF (welfare) and don't pay a penny in taxes?  Guess which ethnicity makes up the highest percent of the total welfare recipients.  Let's just say "illegal" immigrants can't receive welfare.
939239
For the most part, I know that this is true......I work for the Public Defender Dept in my state and I see it all  the time. Many of the attys in the office where I work actually ask to help on the cases of "illegal aliens". I think they should be able to stay and not only stay.....but given citizenship.
397940
Yes It Is\n\nAnd We Can Do It Easily And Cost Effectively\n\nCongress Needs to pass a law that says, quite simply, that the CEO (ANY EMPLOYER) of any business that was caught employing ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS went to jail for a year - \nNO EXCEPTIONS - \n\nWe Must STOP Handing Them Social Services IMMEDIATELY\nA COLD TURKEY Approach - \nNO Health Care(Except Emergency)For ANYONE Not A Citizen\nNO Education Benefits For ANYONE Not A Citizen\nNO Welfare Benefits Of ANY KIND (Yes Including WIC Programs)\nFor ANYONE Not A Citizen\nSound CRUEL???\n\nWithin a month there would be ten million (more or less) people lined up at the Mexican border trying to get out of the United States And Back To Whatever Country They Came From. \n\nDo you want to pay taxes to a Government that uses your tax money to subsidize people from Other Nations who Aren't Contributing to Your Nation,??? \nWho are helping drive down the Quality of Life, and your Peace and Tranquility??? \nDo you as a TAXPAYING CITIZEN  even feel comfortable in Visiting the Decaying Inner Cities of this Nation that YOU OWN??? \nDo you feel good about paying for these Decaying Inner Cities with your taxes??? \nDo you feel like a FOREIGNER  in YOUR OWN NATION??? \n\nIts time that WE THE PEOPLE (Citizens) started Telling OUR Government that the Borders MUST BE MAINTAINED if the Government wants to Tax the Citizens.\n\nWe CANNOT SELECTIVELY ENFORCE Our LAWS \nWe MUST DEMAND That OUR GOVERNMENT \nSEAL OUR  BORDERS IMMEDIATELY  \nPUSH HR 4437-NO AMNESTY\nDEPORT ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UPON DISCOVERY