Hispanic Catholics Call for Immigration Benefits

• Author: Jessica Williams
• Posted: 2024-11-15

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, DACA, has always been controversial. The long and short of it: DACA is a program that basically says children brought here illegally get to stay here indefinitely until something can be figured out. What this means, 9 out of 10 times, is that the children always get to stay (their parents get to stay 70% of the time too), and they ultimately get to become citizens. There are so many DACA residents now that many of them are teaching at universities and are in politics. Gloria Mancilla, for instance, is a successful DACA recipient who just had a meeting with Senator Chuck Grossley from Iowa, where they spoke about the need for further financial aid for DACA recipients.

DACA still encompasses a group of people who are technically immigrants, and thus they are covered by nearly a dozen assistance programs that the federal government already offers; and even more on a state level, in states like California and New York. But according to Mancilla, it's not enough. She wants the government to fast-track all DACA people for guaranteed loans and for increased benefits. A Hispanic Catholic group agreed and also petitioned the government for more benefits given to DACA recipients.

America's Resources are Stretched Thin

America's debt is well in excess of $20 trillion, which is a staggering number that most people can barely comprehend. Even still, the government has money printed, and then they move some decimals around and claim Joe Biden's deficit and debt ceiling is in good shape. But is the government in good enough shape to give in to new DACA calls for even more benefits?

It wouldn't be unprecedented. For decades now the US government has been rubber-stamping business loans for immigrants of India, Africa and other foreign nations. It's why every gas station-slash-deli sells curry, and why Nigerians own most hotels. It's also why Mexican restaurants have replaced all the French and Italian ones. Immigrants from south of the border are also receiving loans, so there's a lot of confusion when it comes to what Cancilla and the Hispanic Catholics are asking for. Regardless, it looks like they will have to wait their turn. America's spending money elsewhere at the moment.

The Line Gets Jumped

There was a famous series of news segments during Barack Obama's presidency, where leaders of the black community were going on popular news stations and demanding reparations. "It's finally time," they proclaimed. But during those years Obama was President, the only people who saw their benefits increase were huge corporations and Wall Street. This seems to be an ongoing thing for Americans. African Americans are considered foundational Americans, along with European stock Americans and Native Americans. Though when it comes to those groups of Americans receiving needed benefits, there always seems to be another group cutting in line and receiving government assistance.

For most of 2022 it's been Ukraine. Sure, you can say that Ukraine is a victim of horrible aggression from a war criminal in Vladimir Putin and a monstrous Russia. You can say that this threatens democracy all over the globe. But to say that Ukraine should become the number-one recipient of America's welfare is just a staggering statement. The USA is on track to give Ukraine over $1 trillion before the year's end. Just yesterday, President Joe Biden demanded Congress pass another $33 billion to go to Ukraine, and both parties agreed with smiles on their faces, as long as they were allowed to shove a bunch of other spending in the bill.

So even for DACA recipients, and Hispanic immigrants, who are already jumping the line in front of founding-stock Americans to get taxpayer benefits, they will also have to wait until the government's love affair with Ukraine is over before receiving anything of note. The truth is just that the priorities of America's politicians are based solely on what's in the best interests of their re-election bids. There are seemingly zero exceptions to this rule. Whether it's AOC and Sanders tweeting out nonsense, or Mitt Romney and Ted Cruz giving some useless speech, it's all geared toward their own campaigns, and never for the good of the people.

Don't forget that this is the same government that shut down 80% of Americans' businesses and then cut them a $1,200 check in return. So while Hispanic immigrants will likely receive more benefits long before blacks get reparations, there's another group cutting the line in front of them.