How Illegal Immigrants Receive Benefits Under the Federal Assistance Program

• Author: Jacob Greene
• Posted: 2024-07-22

The federal government provides some services to illegal immigrants through the Federal Assistance Program. Although most immigrants are ineligible for most federal programs, they are eligible for assistance deemed necessary to protect life and ensure safety. Some of the services available to illegal immigrants include access to medical care, college and daycare, EBT cards, month checks and more. The National Immigration Forum and the National Immigrant Law Center provide information on which programs are available to illegal immigrants.

The order covers programs for undocumented immigrants in the United States, including emergency Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and many others. Many states also provide these services to immigrants regardless of immigration status, but qualifications vary by state. In general, illegal immigrants pay more into the system than they receive in benefits. Some benefits for illegal immigrants include a monthly stipend for food, a medical prescription, and emergency transportation.

The study also noted that many unauthorized immigrants have spouses and dependent children who are U.S. citizens, so they may qualify for some of these public assistance programs. Studies have shown that up to 40 percent of adult undocumented immigrants live with U.S. citizen children. Because these individuals are not eligible for most public assistance programs, they depend on the benefits of their families to survive. Nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind that these individuals often receive support through other programs in their household.