The Percentage of Immigrants on Public Assistance is Growing

• Author: Jessica Williams
• Posted: 2024-10-28

Although the percentage of immigrants receiving public assistance is dropping, the need for assistance still persists. The study cited above shows that the percentage of immigrants receiving Medicaid is three times higher than that of native-born residents. Even though the percentage of immigrants receiving Medicare is lower, they still consume more public assistance programs than do native-born residents. And this trend continues among children of immigrants. If these numbers are accurate, then immigration policies should be changed to encourage more children to enroll in health insurance.

The study found that children of immigrants with foreign-born parents were more likely to receive AFDC and other government assistance programs than native-born children. The study also showed that children of immigrants with one parent born in Mexico were less likely to receive AFDC. These results also showed that children of Mexican immigrants were less likely than children of white parents to receive government assistance. Although the study was limited to this sample, it shows that racial and ethnic groups do affect the use of public assistance.

Before 1996, the government severely limited the enrollment of immigrants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which was formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. Subsequent legislation restored access to many immigrants who had previously been deprived of it. But while a significant proportion of immigrants do remain on welfare, they do not qualify for the maximum benefits. As such, many of them remain on welfare while their children are receiving free education. The percentage of immigrants on public assistance is growing.