Thread: Will "prosecutorial discretion” result in food stamps going to illegal aliens?

Will "prosecutorial discretion” result in food stamps going to illegal aliens?

Dave Gibson, Immigration Reform Examiner

January 18, 2012-

On June 17, 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a memo announcing that immigration officials no longer have to deport illegal aliens if they are enrolled in any type of education program, if their family members have volunteered for U.S. military service, if they have filed a civil rights lawsuit or even if they are pregnant or nursing.

Then in August, the Obama administration announced that they will no longer deport illegal aliens who have not been convicted of a crime. But even worse, the administration will also reportedly distribute work permits to those illegal aliens allowed to stay.

This new policy is resulting in tens of thousands of deportation cases being dropped.

But, aren’t illegal aliens still ineligible to receive food stamps?
Maybe not…

The USDA Non-Citizen Guidance document states:

“Can a qualified alien be denied benefits based on a prior undocumented status?”

“No. As long as the non-citizen is currently a qualified alien then the non-citizen is potentially eligible for SNAP.”

Of course, SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps.

Who is a “qualified alien?”

There are many groups of so-called “non-citizens” who qualify for food stamps. But, one of those groups are people who have had their deportations or removals withheld by a judge under certain circumstances. However, with untold numbers of deportation cases now being dropped by this administration, there is no longer any need for a judge to intervene.

Another group of “non-citizens” eligible for food stamps are “holders of green cards.”

On January 6, the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the agency’s proposed rule change which will allow illegal alien spouses and children to stay in this country while seeking legal residency status, rather than waiting for a green card back home.

Under the new rule, they will supposedly have to return home to visit a U.S. consulate for an interview. However, this will be but a formality.
The federal government would issue hardship waivers to the illegal aliens so that they can easily re-enter the country and put them on a quick path to receiving green cards.

View the entire SNAP Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/governm...nce_063011.pdf

Read more of Dave Gibson's articles at:
Dave Gibson The Examinor

Gimme a green card. I could use the extra food