REPORT FINDS MANY IMMIGRANTS LACK SUFFICIENT FOOD

According to a recent report from the American Public Health Association, many legal immigrants lack sufficient food for themselves and their children.  Based on a survey of immigrants in California, Illinois and Texas, the report was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Forty-one percent of legal immigrant families reported having to ration food, in some cases skipping entire meals.  Another 40 percent said that they often experienced problems providing food for their family.  These hunger rates are more than double those among low-income native born Americans.

According to the report, the problem will likely only get worse because of the 1996 welfare reform and immigration laws, which ended food stamp programs and other federal benefits for recent immigrants.  Immigrants are prevented from applying for federal benefits for five years under these laws.  However, the report found that 40 percent of people eligible for benefits based on their date of entry are not applying for benefits for which they are eligible.

The report suggests that Congress do more to restore benefits, especially for children, noting that proper nutrition can be invaluable in lowering health care costs.

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