For my dear Facebook friends who are posting about all the benefits that undocumented workers get, here are the facts:
Undocumented immigrants, including DACA holders, are ineligible to receive most federal public benefits, including means-tested benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, sometimes referred to as food stamps), regular Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and are prohibited from purchasing unsubsidized health coverage on ACA exchanges. There are restrictions, but undocumented immigrants may be eligible for a handful of in-kind (non-cash) benefits that are deemed necessary to protect life or guarantee safety in dire situations, such as disaster relief, soup kitchens, child/adult protective services as well as emergency treatment under Medicaid, immunizations for communicable diseases, K-12 public education, subsidized school meals, and access to healthcare and nutrition programs for pregnant women and children under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Don’t forget, in many cases, they are contributing to unemployment insurance and paying social security and Medicare tax for benefits they will never see. They are paying gas, sales and property tax (in rent) and may even be having income tax withheld. — Marilyn Hunter
