Speech #1040203031

data also allow us to calculate the dollar value of the benefits disbursed to immigrant households. as compared to the nativeborn. In the early 1990s. 8 percent of households were foreignborn. These immigrant households accounted for 13.8 percent of the cost of the programs. They cost almost 75 percent more than their representation in the population. The disproportionate disbursement of benefits to immigrant households is particularly acute in California. a state which has both a lot of immigrants and very generous welfare programs. Immigrants make up only 21 percent of the households in California. But these households consume 39.5 percent of all the benefit dollars distributed in the state. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that the welfare problem In California is on the verge of becoming an immigrant problem. The pattern holds for other states. In Texas. where 89 percent of households are Immigrant but which has less generous welfare. immigrants receive 22 percent of benefits distributed. In New York State. 16 percent of the households are immigrants. They receive 22.2 percent of benefits.