 NEW REPORT ON STATE RESTORATION OF BENEFITS FOR IMMIGRANTS
According to a recently released study from the Urban Institute, states have done more than was initially expected to restore public benefits to immigrants made ineligible for federal benefits following the passage of welfare-reform in 1996. Among the most surprising facts revealed by the study is that California is a leader in restoring benefits for legal immigrants.
One of the reasons for California’s surprising position was the zeal with which former Gov. Pete Wilson attacked illegal immigration. State legislators drawing up the proposals that would replace federal benefits programs focused on Wilson’s criticism of illegal immigrants to force him to support programs designed to benefit legal immigrants.
Other states noted for their efforts to ensure people legally in the US receive benefits are Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts, and Maine. Overall the study showed that states with large immigrant populations did restore a substantial amount of aid, except for Texas, which was one of the least generous. However, no state has completely replaced the benefits that were available before 1996.
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