The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced restrictions on federal benefits for undocumented immigrants by rescinding a prior interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. The new guidelines classify various federal public benefits that undocumented immigrants can access, including community health clinics and family planning programs. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated that this decision restores integrity to federal programs. Advocacy groups argue that the changes will negatively impact both undocumented immigrants and numerous lawful residents who will remain ineligible for essential benefits.
For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans' tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration. Today's action changes that-it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people.
Under PRWORA, "qualified immigrants" are eligible for federal public benefits programs. This includes lawful permanent residents or people with a green card, refugees and people granted asylum.
Numerous lawfully present immigrants are not listed as qualified immigrants and are therefore ineligible for these programs, such as people with Temporary Protected Status who have fled an emergency.
Health and immigration advocacy organizations have come out against the decision, arguing that these programs are lifesaving for immigrant families.
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