I oppose this bill for many reasons. In my role as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, though, I want to point out a few immigration provisions that undermine personal responsibility and burden American taxpayers.
In 1996, Congress required that legal immigrants wait five years after coming to the United States before receiving welfare benefits.
It’s only fair that American taxpayers not foot the medical bills of foreign nationals who arrive with a sponsor’s pledge not to let them become a “public charge.”
This bill, H.R. 2, changes current law and allows immigrants to get medical benefits at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.
The five-year waiting period for immigrants to receive government benefits is the last line of defense for the U.S. taxpayer. It should not be repealed or altered.
Prior to 1996, the cost of welfare for immigrants had jumped to $8 billion a year. The number of noncitizens on Supplemental Security Income increased more than 600 percent between 1982 and 1995. Both of those numbers will be much higher if H.R. 2 is enacted.
At a time when government spending is out of control, and when states, cities and American citizens are struggling to make ends meet, the last thing we need is to change good policy and further burden U.S. taxpayers.
This legislation should be opposed.