Can Illegal Immigrants Receive Food Stamps?
91
I recently participated in an online discussion about undocumented immigrants. Some participants were under the impression that undocumented immigrants not only come to the country to take advantage of public assistance programs that the United States offers, but they were also under the impression that these programs are easier to obtain if a person happens to be undocumented. The most discussed public assistance program was food stamps.
During the online discussion, someone claimed that as long as one person in a household is a U.S. Citizen, all members of that household would be eligible for food stamps.
I asked that person to please cite the source used for that claim.
I was directed to a 2008 article posted on MSNBC, which, incidentally, is the first result on Google when you enter “can illegal immigrants receive food stamps” into the search box.
A few paragraphs into the article, the following statement appears:
By law, illegal immigrants are ineligible for food stamps — unless there is at least one U.S. citizen in their household, which describes all U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants.
This statement was poorly worded, to say the least, and this is very unfortunate, as MSNBC would be considered a reliable source for news and facts.
Perhaps it would have been more accurate to word it this way:
By law, illegal immigrants are ineligible for food stamps. However, U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants may be eligible for food stamps.
If you are under the (false) impression that the above statement is incorrect, I would suggest taking a few minutes to verify the facts before you spew nonsense and false information.
Not only am I able to dispel the myth that undocumented immigrants receive food stamps, but I am able to provide the links to verify this information, as well as inform you how to verify this information on your own. I am able to do all of this in the following few paragraphs:
If You Have Difficulty Understanding This Article, Buy This:
|
Reading Comprehension & Skills
Current Bid: $18.23
|
|
SUBLIMINAL IMPROVE YOUR READING SKILLS- INCREASE & DEVELOP BETTER COMPREHENSION
Current Bid: $11.99
|
|
Master Skills Series: Reading Comprehension Grade 3
Current Bid: $4.28
|
FACT OR FICTION?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is the federal assistance program for food stamps. And although each state administers SNAP, the requirements for eligibility remain the same for all states.
If you follow this link to SNAP, you are able to verify basic eligibility requirements for SNAP; including the more stringent eligibility requirements for (legal) immigrants at the bottom of the page. There are a few exceptions for immigrants that include asylum cases, refugees, sex trafficking victims, and lawful, permanent residents with military service.
****IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not use immigrant and illegal immigrant interchangeably. The word “immigrant” is not used to depict “illegal immigrant”. The word “immigrant” is used to refer to an individual who is a legal, documented immigrant.****
I realize that complete eligibility requirements are not listed on SNAP, although the presumption should be that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for food stamps—as it even states that non-citizens who are in the U.S. lawfully and temporarily are ineligible for food stamps.
For further verification, you are able to view any state’s website for full eligibility requirements by navigating to Google and entering: (your state) food stamps.
In MSNBC’s article, there is also reference to New York’s food stamp program. Because of this, I am using New York City’s Human Resources Administration, Department of Social Services as an example. You can review the eligibility requirements for food stamps in the link provided and see that, among other requirements, proof of identity is required, a social security number is required, and proof of immigration status for all non-citizens who are applying for food stamps is required.
This is how the eligibility for food stamps is determined in each and every state.
FACT:
Undocumented immigrants do not receive food stamps.
If you still believe that undocumented immigrants are able to receive food stamps:
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (3)
- Funny
- Awesome (1)
- Beautiful (1)
- Interesting (3)
CommentsLoading...
Hello,
Illegals in this country have put a tremendous strain on our pockets. Illegals from all over the world know how to qualify for government assistant before they get here. Once they have the "anchor babies" on US soil the babies become the provider of the family be cause it is now a US citizen. The benefits the babies are entitled to are but not limited to foodstamps to feed all in their family, government subsidized housing for everyone in their family, free medical care through Medi-cal, Medicaid and SNAP. Free schooling and clothing.Now, the politicians pander to illegals so much til they now have a unit in their office devoted to assisting the illegals in getting a green card, a drivers license which leads to them voting at the local level and not federal level. You see, our politicians provide illegals a great support system and actually work closely with them to get to a point where they are eligible to vote. This process does not take years but months and as a result the illegals vote for that politician. Once they have the green card they can petition to bring the rest of their familiy here by a temporary VISA, mother, father, sister brother, daughters and sons. Once those family members hit US soil they petition, with the help of our politician to have the templorary VISA changed to permanent and WALLA,they are eligible to get FOOD Stamps, medical care, housing and much more.
If five people live in a household and only one person is U.S.-born, then only one person will receive food stamps. Read the article again, perhaps you will get it the second try.
You CAN receive food stamps if you are an illegal immigrant.
Go through the on-line application, and fill it out so that one person in the household is "US Born" and you're in. Come here illegally, have a baby nine months later, and you're set. Conversely, if you are legally born, it is much, much more difficult to receive benefits without some jumping through hoops. If you are legally born here, and you are homeless, they will not give you food stamps, unless you have an address. If you have no address, they will have you go to a shelter and live there for a few weeks so you "do" have an address.
Honestly Deni, I am not sure if your issue is with illegal immigrants or with abuse of the SNAP program.
Later today I will be going through an interview to go back to receiving benefits to help feed my kids. In the application you answer questions regarding SSN's and property owned. If a vehicle or other property is not in that persons name, you don't enter the information. You are allowed any vehicle up to a certain value. I seriously believe they need a redo on the whole process and that every state should be"Welfare to Work". If you cannot prove that you are participating in a job training program, a community service program or attending school on a regular basis working toward a degree or certificate. You should not receive SNAP. If your kids are all school age, you should be ineligible because YOU can do SOMETHING.A five year cap on benefits is reasonable. Even if you go to school online you should have to show a report card or be held accountable in some way. Welfare is a way of life for too many people. It is the whole loaves and fishes thing. Don't just feed them, teach them to get it themselves. I see too many people who feel they are entitled to benefits. I don't care if you are talking about illegals or US citizens it is still abuse. We are a nation of immigrants. We are also a nation of lazy slobs and clueless rich folk who don't care about us as long as their homes are clean and their lives untouched.
If citizens weren't so lazy and people were expected to give back, there wouldn't be so many jobs for illegals to get.
Anchor Babies are the Mexican Jackpot
Free food for 18 years for every kid they have.
SICK.
I don't want to get all political, I just want to ask a few questions. 1.If the illegal can come here and have kids that are legal, then what is stopping her from having 6-7 kids to get all the benefits she qualifies for? 2.When the oldest girl becomes of age to have a baby, they then turn around and get pregnant to get benefits. How are we not stopping this?? I know the original parent can't get bene's but NOTHING IS STOPPING HER FROM BREEDING AS MANY KIDS AS SHE CAN TO GET MORE BENE'S FOR THE LEGAL ONES!!!!!!
I live in FL and I know for a fact that there are families out there who have the 16-17 year old girls get pregnant, then give the baby to Grandma to raise cuz they are gonna finish school, etc., thus giving Grandma more and more Benefits. It's a vicious circle and we need to stop this. There are hungry homeless children in Seminole County where I live, but I can tell you some of our FIT (Family's in Transition) pull up in fancy cars, gold dripping from them and nicer clothes than most of my circle of friends have. Don't get snarky because someone pointed out a very valid issue. How does a welfare recipient drive such a nice car???? I know. They lie and say they don't have a father in the house, yet there he is picking her up. Oh wait, your gonna say they don't get along and aren't together anymore so she needs those benefits. Um, yeah then he can pay child-support so my taxes don't go to the benefits. This goes for anyone of any color, race and religion in the USA. They are all humans, but why do our taxes have to go to help someone who started out in an illegal situation as opposed to helping out the children and humans of those who started LEGAL. Yeah yeah, the baby was born here and that makes it legal....blah blah blah. If the MOTHER starts out as illegal...........
doh!
ILLEGAL ALIENS RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS BY WAY OF THEIR AMERICAN BORN CHILDREN!! The law should require proof of citizenship to apply for welfare and foodstamps
If you are unable to comprehend written words--the law--then you are far beyond help.
Deni,
You are quite typical of someone who is passionate about something without knowledge of that something. Either that or you are in league with these folks.
Illegals own Hummers, Beemers, property, businesses (especially service related businesses), gold, diamonds, stocks, bonds, blah, blah, blah...
Identity theft and fraud are easy to commit, hard to detect and / or prosecute. To obtain the above tangibles requires obtaining a U.S. citizens identity. To do that requires mailbox diving. Which is easy. It requires very little work and is lucrative.
You write with an assumed authority on this subject. In reality, you are a clueless enabler; if not, you a current conspirator.
Regardless, your subscribers deserve an apology and admission that you like to spout off on shit you have no intimate knowledge of.
Janelle is spot on in her assessment.
In most cases, an illegal immigrant cannot stay in the U.S. for an extended period of time without comitting some kind of fraud. They know it. We know it.
Silly, self-guilted, do gooders who theorize and suppose about these folks haven't a clue in regards to reality.
Identity theft is a huge problem promulgated by illegals to get benefits they are not entitled to.
I investigate and prosecute these issues daily.
Claims of ignorance are usually quite revealing. Look in the mirror. Because you dont know shit.
Make sure to be truthful with the application process. You would need to provide information on your total income, which would include your husband's income even though he is not applying for benefits.
I am a u.s citizen but my husband is not, he is in the process of becoming legal. if I apply for snap benefits will this affect his process? I live in california
thank you for clarifying this myth that is perpetuated by the xenophobes ,the bigots, and zealots, hopefully one day there will be enough voices telling these truths so the lies and aspersions against immigrants will end.voted up awesome interesting and usefull.I try to do the same in some of my hubs.
I'm all for our government providing nutrition and health services for any US citizen who qualifies for assistance. However, I believe the US government should only provide US-born children of illegal immigrants these benefits if the illegal parents agree to return to where they came from, leaving their children behind! THAT might turn the tables.
Yes. Since the child is a U.S. citizen, the child will qualify for food stamps, but not the person who is not a U.S. citizen.
hi, a person is separating from the spouse and has a baby who was born in the US...this person has a work permit only which means the person does pay taxes to our country..is this person allowed to apply for food stamps for the child even though this person is illegal?
It is so sad how people will spew such venom. We are talking about human beings, have we no compassion. I, as a mother, would do anything to improve my Child's quality of life. We are so fortunate to be born in a country of opportunity, instead of promoting the starvation of American born children of undocumented immigrants, why not try and educate yourself and have some compassion. I certainly hope you don't call yourself a Christian. Deni, I enjoyed your posts, I agree with you 100%.
First of all, my name is Deni, not Demi.
Secondly, I am from California.
Obviously, you have difficulty understanding what you read, which is one of your biggest problems. Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to educate people if they don't possess basic reading comprehension skills.
Thirdly, someone already commented, notifying me of those Hummer-driving, networking undocumented immigrants that collect food stamps. In place of their social security cards, they are showing their Hummers and getting approval for food stamps....Yeah.
Wake up Demi, these people do lie and usually the mother AND father are working for cash "under the table". You're not from the southwest, are you? If you were you would see all the time, in every neighborhood - Hummers or new cars/trucks with flashy rims and loud stereo systems.
everyone complains but the fact is America needs to take care of the hungry chilgren here first. All of these other countries would never help anyone, infact they laugh at how dumb the us is! TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN! It doesn't pay to argue with this hub's author they are a extreme liberal that will only see thier side and probably never have seen a day without food or shelter.
A bit of history to consider for those who like to pick on the powerless...
What effect have the geopolitical/economic policies (paid for with your tax dollars) of the USA for the last century had on the people of countries like Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and the rest of Latin America?
This hemisphere suffered BRUTAL repression at the hands of DICTATORS who were well funded and supported by the USA government and business community. Why? Because those dictators and their elite cohorts followed economic orders and kept their countries available to exploitation by foreign capital.
They followed flawed NEOLIBERAL economic policy that MISdeveloped their economy and impoverished millions to benefit few local elites and their (by now) multinational investors.
I think a part that racism plays in all of this is that people in the USA just think that its normal for brown skinned people to be incapable of self government. It has been a staple of imperial propaganda for centuries known by the famous slogan, "The White Man's Burden."
The truth is far from it. Imperialists have unleashed the worst terrors on earth to thwart the attempts of indigenous populations in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to create nationalist movements to govern themselves and create sensible economies that benefit the people of their nations.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself just dont lie, cheat or steal in the process. If you or any u.s. citizen do or attempt to do any of the above in Mexico ( just an example) you would get thrown in jail period the end. Its not right that my family has to continue paying into taxes while illegals come and work for cash not paying into taxes but yet taking advantage of the system. All I'm saying is take care of the u.s. citizen who has paid a % of there hard earned money into taxes so that we dont have to file bnkrptcy for needing surgery.!I know you guys just dont get it, you probably dont see it close up like We do! Thank you for reading this anyway.
We in the UK definitely need an immigrant reform but can you blame someone for trying to get a better life? NO!
Great hub and I am finding you amazing.x
Janelle you have hit the nail right on with a very huge hammer. I have a few questions for ms.Demi
1. US Citizen has paid taxes since she was 13 years of age, 35 yrs later she needs surgery, she is now in debt for 35 thousand dollars due to the fact that her family doesnt qualify for medicaid or food stamps, so some ILLEGAL comes ILLEGALY and gets medicaid and food stamps for her family by providing lies about her present life in the USA where she resides Illegaly, what makes this illegal better than a USCitizen?
You can mock me but how do you think afford those ca
S? By saving six to seven hundred dollars on food and getting eight hundred dollars from the state for welfare.
Only if they own Hummers.
They do lie so they can get food stamps and welfare. If the father doesn't have a social, how can the child support enforcement division see if he is working and have him pay back those benifits like they make those who do have a social? This is the truth : The father is either working for cash or using a fake social (i have witnessed it myself) the mother is getting food stamps and cash assistance, for five kids its almost 800 dollars. Can you honestly say that it is okay for illegal immigrants to do this?
Oh, yes. The undocumented immigrants that own the hummers...I forgot about those ones. Those networking, Hummer-driving undocumented immigrants. Thanks for exposing this disturbing conspiracy.
Even though she doesn't have a social security number, she has ro provide proof of all income in the household. If she is lying, then she gets more amount in benifits for her children. If she didn't lie and did report the income of the father of her children children, she wouldn't get qualify for food stamps.
You are under the impression that a woman who is undocumented has to lie,to include that she doesn't have a social security number/card to receive food stamps for her four U.S.-born children? The children are eligible to receive food stamps. This is what I discussed.
She, however, would not be eligible to receive food stamps. A social security number and the card IS A REQUIREMENT, without exception.
Do you happen to know why an illegal immigrant who has four kids that were born in the U.S., is pregnant, walks out of the Human Services Dept., gets into a hummer or an expidition with a man driving, how are they eligible to get snap ? I can. I see it everyday and I hear the illegal immigrants talk about it. Lie. Tell the office you can't work because you don't have a social security number and you don't know where the father is. Here in Santa Fe, NM they are networking letting each other know how to take advantage of the system.
It's a fact it just isn't published
Hi, Martie--
I suppose that this this is not just a touchy and emotional topic that is limited to the U.S. Apparently, immigration reform is needed desperately in other parts of the world as well.
Most of the jobs here that undocumented immigrants take are jobs that many people would not do--working in the strawberry fields and groves. Employers know, without a doubt, who they are hiring as they are paid under the table, less than minimum wage, and suffer unsafe working conditions. You mention this in your comment.
It also seems that when things get tough, economically, people want to blame someone, and this often leads to resentment and, sometimes, hate, and believing things that aren't true--which is why I wrote this.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Martie. I always love to hear from you!
We have a serious problem with illegal immigrants. Not that they receive food stamps – we don’t have food stamps – but because they are willing to accept wages lower than the minimum prescribed by law. In the process they deprive legal citizens of job-opportunities. (Employers violate the law when they appoint illegal citizens, but in order to make a living, which is not so easy when one has to obey all Labor laws, the owners of small businesses just take the risk.)
Illegal immigrants – many of them shrewd businessmen, willing to work hard - also open illegal businesses, selling imported goods (thanks to connections they have in their country of birth somewhere in Mid-Africa), for less than what the legal businessman (obliged to pay taxes) can manage.
The result a year (or was it two) ago was serious Xenophobia – hundreds of illegal immigrants were brutally murdered during horrifying attacks.
It is so human-like, just as it is animal-like, to go, in times of drought, to where the ‘food’ is.
Laws poorly worded can so easily be violated.
interesting!
Very informative hub.Its true that people very often opine that illegal immigrants get to enjoy a great deal of benefits with their undocumented status. The hub throws light on the food stamps issue. Child born to illegal immigrants are eligible whereas the parent ( illegal) is not eligible. Great law!! Anyway, I enjoyed reading your hub, nice and crisp.
Such interesting and very useful information. Thank you.
Great this clears lot of misinformation about immigration, thanks it was helpful.
Yes, I know. That is in the hub. Any children born in America is eligible for food stamps. In your example, the mother would not be eligible, but her child would be.
Thanks for reading.
One slight loophole was overlooked, and this is what has led to most of what the current situation is really all about. Say a female Mexican national crosses the Rio Grande. She is pregnant, and the child is born here. She can't get benefits...but her child was born on American soil, and so, is a citizen, and eligible for all the benefits. Check it out, it is the law. Good hub anyways. Peace
Mike and H!
Thank you both for your positive comments! I have to admit, I was a little afraid to look. haha.
Thanks for reading!
Very informative article Deni. You have cleared up a lot of misinformation while giving readers access to the SNAP site. Great job for a vital program.
Well done. There are a lot of ignorant people out there who simply like to demonize others...
Deni Edwards Hub Author 2 weeks ago
Thanks for enlightening me. You're a smart cookie.