Republican Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall and Republican Texas Rep. Troy Nehls reintroduced a resolution in their respective chambers Wednesday that would block citizenship for illegal immigrants dependent on taxpayer-funded benefits.
The resolution was first obtained by the Daily Caller and focuses on a new DHS rule that would cut the number of benefits that can be held against immigrants who use them when applying for permanent residency in the United States.
In 2019, the Trump administration defined any immigrant who had received one or more designated public benefits for more than 12 months within a 36-month period as a “public charge.” Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) renders noncitizens inadmissible if they are “likely at any time to become a public charge,” the DHS’s website states.
The Trump administration included food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicaid as benefits that would disqualify an immigrant from receiving a green card. Under the new DHS rule, only the receipt of cash benefits or long-term institutional care could lead to a public charge finding. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans Demand CBP Commissioner Resign)
“With the crisis raging at our southern border and the national debt over $31 trillion, it is fair and sensible to favor prospective new citizens who will not be reliant on government benefits,” Marshall told the Caller before introducing the resolution. “My legislation will ensure America welcomes self-sufficient new citizens who are ready to contribute, while reigning in excessive spending.”
READ THE RESOLUTION HERE:
(DAILY CALLER OBTAINED) — … by Henry Rodgers
“America was built through the values of hard work and self-reliance. Government dependence saps these American values and erodes what made America great. We should encourage self-sufficiency when we welcome legal immigrants to our country. I’m proud to support Senator Marshall’s CRA to stop President Biden’s public charge rule,” Budd said in a statement.
Nehls is leading Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs and Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles in reintroducing an identical version of this resolution in the House.
“President Trump had it right. His rule protected states and American taxpayers from burdensome costs and promoted self-sufficiency among incoming foreign nationals. It’s time Biden starts putting Americans first,” Nehls said in a statement.
“We have millions of our own American citizens without health insurance and receiving SNAP benefits, as well as hundreds of thousands sleeping on the streets at night. Instead of making it a priority to find our own citizens homes, meals, and health insurance, Joe Biden continues to exacerbate the issue,” Nehls added.
Marshall and Nehls originally introduced the resolution in Nov. 2022.