Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) has introduced legislation to ensure that non-citizens are denied government welfare benefits.
The No Welfare for Non-Citizens Act explicitly reaffirms that non-citizens are not eligible for such benefits, and seeks to close all loopholes and carveouts that otherwise subvert this rule.
The bill comes on the heels of the ongoing scandal surrounding Feed Our Futures, a massive welfare fraud scheme allegedly perpetrated by Somali migrants in Minnesota, where the accused allegedly stole approximately $1 billion in funds designed for child food supplements.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is accused of ignoring whistleblowers and effectively allowing the fraud to continue rather than face backlash from the Somali community.
"Americans are being robbed. Somalians, illegals, and even legal immigrants are getting free handouts at the expense of American taxpayers. That is insane, it is immoral, and it must stop," Rep. Fine expressed in a press release. "Hardworking Americans should not be paying for non-citizens' healthcare, free housing, food stamps, Medicaid, or anything else for that matter. Citizens come first. Period."
In addition to reasserting that "taxpayer-funded benefits are for Americans, not the world," Rep. Fine further emphasized that "we cannot save this country while continuing to reward illegal immigration and subsidize non-citizens with borrowed money from our children."
Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) pointed to a Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) study in October detailing how states such as California provided backdoor healthcare funding for illegal aliens through illegal use of emergency Medicare funds and falsely classifying illegals as "qualified aliens" for programs.
Notably, federal spending on emergency Medicare coverage tripled under the Biden Administration, and California alone used over $4 billion from these funds, which accounted for 74% of emergency Medicaid funding distributed nationwide.
"In 2024, under the Biden Administration, $6.1 BILLION taxpayer dollars were used to provide 'emergency Medicaid coverage' to illegal aliens," Rep. Mast posted on X. "Any Democrat that tells you illegal aliens don't receive Medicaid benefits is flat out LYING."
