We started to hear in the news in the last week or so something that has been brought to our attention here in this Congress where we have some Interparliamentary exchange. and I have sat down with the Canadians perhaps 3 years ago. They pressed the case that we need to do a better job of controlling our borders because we had people pouring into the United States. coming here illegally. and once they got established here. they realized there were welfare benefits to be had in Canada. And they were having thousands. at that time. about 3 years ago. they had about 50.000 illegal immigrants that they said had poured through the United States and into Canada and they were putting too much pressure on their welfare system. So I asked the question in that meeting. what percentage of those that arrive sign up and qualify for welfare? Their answer was. Mr. Speaker. virtually 100 percent of them. because that is how the Canadian laws are set up as a magnet. If you saw in the news this past week. there is a community there not too far north of the border into Canada that has started to raise an issue. and they said they are enclaves that are being created here with illegal immigrants that have been illegal in the United States that have gone on into Canada because the welfare benefits are better. They interviewed some of them on the street where they laughed and smiled about how it was that their welfare check came on time. there werent so many snags and snafus in the welfare system in Canada. and they were glad to be there despite the winters. That was the message I got.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization that illegal immigrants pour into the US to take advantage of welfare benefits.