Speech #1050025224

Some people said. "Well. we need to undo part of this welfare package." I happen to be one that disagrees with that. We passed significant welfare reform. and I think rightfully so. We said. yes. we are going to provide more benefits for citizens than noncitizens. Somebody said they are here legally. That is correct. Let me give a couple of facts. Since 1882. an alien who was likely to become a public charge has boon subject to exclusion from the United States. Since 1917. an alien who becomes a public charge within 4 years of entry has been subject to deportation from the country. That continues to be the immigration policy. that aliens within our Nations borders should not depend on public resources to meet their needs. but rather rely on their own capabilities and the resources of their families and their sponsors. That is the way it should be. Families of immigrants who enter the United States signed affidavits of support. By these affidavits of support they pledge to provide for the immigrants themselves and not put them on public assistance. That is a pledge. That ave they will not become a public charge. That is to make sure that when people come to the United States. they are seeking citizenship and freedom. and not seeking welfare. We found with this program. unfortunately. despite these policies. that large numbers )f sponsors have failed to live up to tWeir obligations. beth their moral obllgations and their financial obligations. Just a couple of facts: In 1986. just over 200.000 noncitizens were receiving 881 welfare benefits. In IWO. that fig. ure bad grown to 800.000. 4 times as many in a period of 10 years. It didnt double or triple4 times as many. it went from 200.000 to 800.000 in the last 10 years. The Social Security Administration predicts that the number of noncitizens receiving benefits would grow to I million by the end of the decads. So this is exploding. A lot of people are bringing their families over. sayIng. "Yes. you can be on welfare.