People living in poverty are not cardboard cutoutsthey do not have the same stories. they do not need the same services. This bill treats everyone alikewith unrealistic time limits and no real. lasting. and effective plan to move welfare recipients to work at a living wage. The denial of benefits to legal immigrants in this legislation will do great harm to children and have a devastative impact on the health care system in our country. Only 3.9 percent of immigrants. who come to the United States to join their families or to work. rely on public assistance. compared to 4.2 percent of nativeboom citizens. According to the Urban Institute. immigrants pay $25 billion more annually than they receive in benefits. Yet the myth persists that welfare benefits are the primary purpose for immigration to the United States. Instead of appreciating legal immigrants for their sIgnificant contributions to this. their adopted country. this bill blatantly punishes them. especially young children and the elderly. It bans SSI and food stamps for virtually all legal immigrants. It tosses aside people who pay taxes. serve our country. and play by the rules. This lacks compassion and common sense.
Identified stereotypes
The myth persists that welfare benefits are the primary purpose for immigration to the United States.