I did not vote against It because I am against paychecks replacing welfare checks. I voted against it because I am against pushing the unemployable into poverty. I am talking about benefits for the disabled and elderly immigrants in our country. On April 1. we will see the first trickle in the torrent of suffering that this bill will Inflict on our Nations most vulnerable. Around this time last year. we heard testimony from Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation that "welfare Is becoming a way of life for elderly Immigrants." A picture was painted depicting newly arrived immigrants being picked up by a sponsor at the airport and driven in a Cadillac directly to the welfar office to sign up for benefits such as SSI and food stamps. While I will not argue with you that there has been some abuse. I think this assertion is absurd. Last year. Robert Rector also testified that "the presence of large numbers of elderly immigrants on welfare is a violation of the spirit. arguably. the letter. of U.S. Immigration law." I beg to differ. This country was based on the dignity of the human spirit. fairness and equity. The spirit of this country is to give voice to the voiceless. to care for the elderly and to nurture the children.
Identified stereotypes
Elderly immigrants are depicted as abusing the welfare system upon arrival.