Thread: How Much does state help $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/311157034382975



From the YakimaHerald.com Online News.


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Published on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 Printable Version E-mail to a Friend

Fox in Yakima — How much does state help immigrants?
By JESSICA WAMBACH
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC


Illegal immigrants access millions of dollars worth of public assistance and social services each year in Washington, state officials agree.

But most government agencies decide for themselves whether to offer services to illegal immigrants — which makes determining scope, establishing precise dollar figures or identifying feasible next steps nearly impossible.

No state laws restrict undocumented immigrants from obtaining services, so in most cases, individual agencies determine what services clients can access and whether employees record immigration status.

Because some agencies don't ask their clients about immigration status and others ask but don't verify citizenship, no agency can provide a reliable estimate of the number of illegal immigrants who use services or how much of the state's social service money they use.

Most state agencies also have their own protocol for reporting fraud, making it impossible to determine how often people who are not citizens use false social security numbers to access services, said Paula Jurich of the Social Security Administration's Seattle press office.

And many agencies rely on self-declaration to determine citizenship.

Take, for example, the Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees the state's largest public welfare programs, including Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

While DSHS allows illegal immigrants to access a few of its health and childcare programs, Medicaid, TANF and food stamps are only available to citizens.

Most people don't carry their birth certificates with them, so when they enroll in DSHS programs, they're simply asked to sign statements saying that they are citizens.


Just because they sign, however, doesn't mean they're telling the truth. And caseworkers are only asked to verify citizenship if they suspect fraud.

A new federal law that takes effect July 1 will require DSHS to confirm citizenship before enrolling immigrants in Medicaid.

But many other agencies still say they have compelling reasons to not question citizenship.

The Department of Health fears that if it were to monitor citizenship, immigrants would be afraid to request services — and it's in the public's best interest to make sure all sick people see doctors, said Jeff Smith, a communications officer.

"If somebody has tuberculosis, we want that person treated because that's a highly contagious disease," Smith said. "Illnesses don't care about immigration status."

When it comes to enrolling students in the Washington public school system, immigration is not an issue.

"I don't think there's any federal, state or local money that comes with any strings saying only children who are citizens of the United States can be enrolled in school," said Kim Schmanke of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Our job is to educate."


But many argue that by accessing the health and education systems, illegal immigrants are siphoning millions of dollars in taxes that could benefit U.S. citizens.

A new immigration reform group called Protect Washington NOW is gathering signatures to qualify Initiative 946 for the Nov. 7 ballot. If it becomes law, the measure would require all state and local government employees to verify the immigration status and identity of anyone applying for public benefits.

Many agencies are concerned, however, about the extra time and money it would take to enforce that law. In fact, insufficient resources already prevent many organizations from verifying citizenship claims, said Bruce Yasutake of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

"That's part of social services, I guess," he said. "You do the best you can with what you have."

Here are some of the services illegal immigrants are allowed to access in Washington.

n Health care

* Emergency room care — Federal law requires all hospitals to do their best to treat any person who walks through the door with an emergency, regardless of who they are or where they are from.

* WIC — The state's Women, Infants, and Children Program provides health screening, nutrition education and food to certain low-income mothers and their children. It is administered by the Department of Health, which does not ask people for proof of citizenship when they apply for services.

* Immunizations — The Department of Health also does not check immigration status for its subsidized immunization program.

* Family planning — The Department of Health provides funding for sex education, contraceptives and counseling through organizations like Planned Parenthood.

* Pregnant Women's Program — The Department of Social and Health Services provides medical services for some low-income pregnant women, including illegal immigrants.

* Children's Health Program — This year DSHS will provide up to $3.6 million in public funds to give health care to noncitizen children in low-income families.

* Alien Emergency Medical Program — Through federal funding, DSHS provides emergency medical care to illegal immigrants who meet all the requirements for the Medicaid program except immigration status.


n Social services

* Food banks — OIC operates a food bank that has government food and donated items. Immigrants are asked whether they're legal. If they say they are, they have access to any of the food. If they are not, they can't take government food items.

* Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program — State funds are available for pregnant women and families with children for shelter, medical, food and clothing needs.

* Child Care — DSHS provides several child care services for low-income immigrant families.


n Housing

* Energy assistance — The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development does not require local agencies to ask for citizenship status when they apply for heating-bill subsidies through the Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program. Funding is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

* Housing assistance — OIC of Washington offers weatherization and minor home repairs to some low-income homeowners in Yakima County that can be available to illegal immigrants.

* The Department of Health also inspects migrant farm worker housing.


n Education

* K-12 enrollment — Any school-age child living in Washington is entitled to enroll in the public school district they reside in. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction does not ask for or track social security numbers or citizenship information for students.

Here is a clue to help these morons out. IF THEY DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH THEY ARE ILLEGAL. Legal citizens speak English! How hard is this people?

Ergggggggg.

Great information. Thanks.

The Department of Health fears that if it were to monitor citizenship, immigrants would be afraid to request services

and why shouldn't they be? we're not afraid to ask for services - - we know better than to ask!

"If somebody has tuberculosis, we want that person treated because that's a highly contagious disease," Smith said. "Illnesses don't care about immigration status."

that's what LEGAL immigration is for. But this is just beating around the bush. The common people get it, the average citizen knows what's going on. Dear Lord give us courage, give us wisdom, give us strength.

Just more examples of the defacto Mexican government in Washington opening the treasury to illegal aliens while reducing or denying benefits to tax paying American citizens. This government exists only to serve illegal aliens while it tells American citizens to screw themselves.

We would not have this issue if existing immigration laws had been enforced.

What irks me the most is that we have laws that are supposed to prevent illegals from using taxpayer dollars to fund their family building. However, at every turn our public officials are finding ways around the taxpayer voters will, to give away money that is not meant for illegal aliens.

Most states now have a "jobs" program. This means that any person getting financial help from the state, and in some that includes health coverage and food stamps, must comply with that self-sufficiency plan to obtain full-time employment and become independent from the state.

I have a friend that is in school right now (at 41 with three kids) to get herself out of an abusive life. She is getting help with food and health coverage for herself and the kids. She had to jump through so many hoops to prove she should be exempt from the jobs program, so she could continue getting an education (which will be better in the long run). In the same office, there were dozens of oh so obviously illegals (women with too many kids), and you bet your behind they did not require them to follow this program (they don't speak English is probably their reason!!).