I am so sick of hearing how illegals are a net benefit to the U.S., about how they contribute far more than they take in public services, about how they never receive any welfare whatsoever. What a crock? As reported in one city alone, El Paso, TX, reporters whine about how planned eligibility changes and budget cuts in food stamp programs by Congress would affect 11,000 illegal aliens receiving food stamps. I thought you had to be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien to receive these benefits. So you know that if they are willing to report this figure, the amount is probably much higher. As far as those who are legal 'documented resident aliens', they report that in the U.S., 70,000 receive food stamps. So how can groups like La Raza, Derechos Humanos, etc. say that immigrants illegal or otherwise aren't a drain on the taxpayers? If they are getting food stamps, they are most likely receiving other types of benefits as well, including housing assistance, free medical care, not to mention the costs of educating their prolific offspring, all at U.S. taxpayer expense. So next time you hear about Americans losing out on needed public assistance programs, you know where that money is going, to provide for the needs of illegals. It may not seem like a huge number, but given time, thanks to Jorge's proposed 'Scamnesty' scheme, you can bet that figure would skyrocket. Ever wondered how they can afford to send the BILLIONS of dollars back to their home countries, like Mexico, it's because the U.S. taxpayer is footing the bill for their other expenses. Given the huge market for fraudulent ID/residency/work documents, and the huge numbers of untaxed, under the table laborers, it is most likely certain that many illegals even work AND receive food stamps at the same time. From where I live in San Diego, it is not unusual for the local welfare offfices and WIC/AFDC outlets to have cars in their parking lots with Mexico license plates. That's right, cars with license plates from Mexico, and not just jalopies mind you, but cars that are nicer and newer than most Americans can afford.

From The El Paso Times:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/apps/pbcs...512140327/1001

Food stamp cuts would hurt 4,000 in El Paso

Brandi Grissom
Austin Bureau
Wednesday, December 14, 2005

AUSTIN -- Texas would be the hardest hit by proposed federal cuts to the Food Stamp Program, with at least 76,000 people, including 11,000 undocumented immigrants, losing benefits, according to a report released Tuesday.

"The House-passed budget would be devastating for hardworking Texans struggling to feed their families," said Celia Hagert, senior policy analyst at the Center for Public Policy Priorities, which produced the budget-cut analysis.

If the cuts are approved and spread evenly across Texas, more than 4,000 El Pasoans could lose food-stamp benefits, she said.

Facing a growing federal budget deficit and mounting bills for the war in Iraq and hurricane recovery efforts, Congress is trying to cut spending while maintaining tax cuts. Last month, the U.S. House approved cutting $50 billion from the federal budget by 2010, including $796 million for food stamps. Nationwide, about 235,000 people, including 70,000 documented immigrants, would lose the benefit.

The Senate budget bill trims the budget by about $35 billion and does not include the food- stamp cuts. A conference committee of House and Senate members will work out a compromise version of the bill.

Food-stamp reductions in the House bill would come through tightened eligibility standards. Now, low-income Texas families can own a car, have some savings and still qualify for food stamps. The House bill would disallow that.